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MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I7 

possessed some mathematical knowledge and under- 
stood surveying thoroughly. As he reached his fif- 
teenth year, he desired to enter the British navy. 
It was a time of war. The tears of his mother, it is 
said, prevented this step when every preparation had 
been made ready for his embarkation. Thus it will be 
seen, that filial love and reverence for a widowed 
mother were the means used by a superintending Prov- 
idence to save him from a step that might have led 
him far away from the brilliant destiny and useful ca- 
reer that awaited him. 



CHAPTER III. 

, There's a divinity that shapes our ends, 

Rough hew them as we will. 

At sixteen years of age we find Washington a visitor 
at the house of his brother Lawrence. His brother 
lived at Mount Vernon, on the Potomac. Lawrence 
Washington had been a member of the ro3^al navy, and 
had accompanied Admiral Vernon to South America, 
in the unsuccessful expedition against Carthagena, in 
1740. While on this expedition Captain Lawrence 
Washington formed intimate personal relations with 
Vernon, and at the close of the war, after he retired 
to his home, named the plantation he had inherited 
from his father after the Admiral under whom he 
had served. The meager records which have been 
spared us of the early youth of Washington, enable 
us to form some idea of the direction of his mind and 
the early development of that thoughtful consider- 
ation for others, and that watchfulness over himself, 
that so characterized his later years. When about 



l8 memoir of WASHINGTON. 

thirteen years of age, he kept a blank book for the 
reception of such rules and maxims as he thought 
useful and instructive. About forty rules are found 
copied in this manuscript for the government of his 
life, manners, and conversation. We will copy for 
our young readers three of the rules selected from 
his code : " When you speak of God or his attributes 
be seriously reverent. Let your recreations be man- 
ful^ not sinful. Labor to keep alive in your breast 
that little spark of celestial fire called conscience." 
While George was a visitor at his brother's house, 
he formed the acquaintance of Lord Fairfax, a near 
neighbor of his brother. This British nobleman, from 
some disappointment in love, had been induced to 
abandon the gay world, and had come to Virginia in 
1739, ^o look after the large estates he had inherited 
from his mother. His mother was the daughter of 
Lord Culpepper, who had been the Governor of the 
province of Virginia between the years 1680 and 1683. 
His estates comprised more than five millions of- acres 
lyingbetween the Rappahannock and Potomac, on both 
sides of tiie Blue Ridge, including a great portion of 
the Shenandoah Valley. Lord Fairfax was so pleased 
with the physical and social aspects of the country 
that he determined to spend the remainder of his life 
in Virginia. He erected a beautiful seat called Bel- 
voir, near Mount Vernon. In 1748 he became ac- 
quainted with George Washington, a boy of sixteen 
years of age, but so mature did this boy appear to 
Lord Fairfax, that he intrusted to him the work of 
surveying his lands west of the Blue Ridge. Wash- 
ington faithfully executed the business committed to 
him, undergoing many privations and hardships in 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I9 

traversing the wild and then almost uninhabited coun- 
try. This pursuit was continued for three years. 
This was the commencement of an intimacy between 
Fairfax and Washington, which lasted through all po- 
litical changes and differences of opinion, until Fair- 
fax closed, at an advanced age, his earthly career. 
So favorable was the report given by Washington of 
the lands surveyed, that Fairfax determined to remove 
to the fertile and beautiful valley of Virginia, where, 
at a place called Greenway Court, he lived for many 
years in a state of baronial hospitality. Some of the 
manuscripts of Washington when a boy have come 
down to us, written with much accuracy and method, 
and testify that he had thoroughly improved all the edu- 
cational advantages he had possessed. How few boys 
in our vaunted days of progress and school facilities 
would be qualified at sixteen to do extensive and reliable 
work as a surveyor. Mr. Irving, in his Life of Wash- 
ington, speaks of the remarkable neatness and pre- 
cision of his accounts and papers when a youth, and of 
his skill in the construction of tables and drawing of 
plans. Specimens of these from his school-boy days 
yet remain. He acquired, too, at an early age, among 
his companions and contemporaries, a character for 
justice, veracity, and sterling honor, that he main- 
tained to the latest day of his life. In his intervals of 
toil he seemed always to be attracted to the best men 
and to be cherished by them. Fairfax, his employer, 
an Oxford scholar, became his devoted friend. He 
read with close attention. His papers show that he 
gained the power of writing and expressing himself 
with clearness and directness. His literary culture, 
as we have already hinted, was not equal to some of 



20 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

those with whom he was afterward destined to act 
on the great theater of national affairs ; but no man 
ever appeared to be, or ever was, from his youth up- 
ward and from his first actions, more set apart for 
his future Hfe and for the cause whose success he 
was afterward to insure. He early showed a mili- 
tary taste, as was proved by his desire to enter the navy 
in a time of war. He had great skill in horsemanship. 
His robust constitution' was invigorated by his early 
life in the wilderness and by his rigid temperance, so 
that few equaled him in strength of arm or power of 
endurance. In writing to Gov. Dinwiddie, Washing- 
ton says: "I can answer that I have a constitution 
hardy enough to encounter and undergo the most se- 
vere trials, and I flatter myself, resolution to face 
what any man dares, as shall be proved when it 
comes to the test." 

In 1754, George II. was listening to a dispatch from 
the Governor of Virginia, in which young Major Wash- 
ington concluded an account of the first skirmish 
with these words : " I heard the bullets whistle, and, 
believe me, there is something charming in the 
sound." The king remarked, " He would not say so 
if he had heard many." Washington was afterward 
of the king's opinion ; for when the major of the 
Virginia militia had become commander-in-chief of 
the armies of the United States, he replied to some 
one who asked him if he had ever expressed himself 
thus, " If I ever said so, it was when I was very 
young." This story, taken from Walpole's Memoirs 
of George 11. , is of very doubtful authority. George 
11. was the last monarch of England who appeared 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 21 

personally on a field of battle. He had heard many- 
bullets whistle in the Thirty Years war. Voltaire re- 
cords as a fact that the reckless Charles XII. of 
Sweden said, that no music was so sweet to him as 
the whistling of bullets, but a feeling like this ill 
comports with the serious and serene ardor of Wash- 
ington. His youthful ardor bore the authority of ma- 
turer years. 



CHAPTER IV. 

I hear the tread of pioneers, 

Of nations yet to be, 
The first low wash of waves, where soon 

Shall roll a human sea. 

An eventful period now approached, when all the 
military taste and skill that Washington possessed 
were to be developed. The boundaries between the 
British and French possessions in America had been 
for many years a subject of dispute. The treaty of 
Aix la Chapelle, in 1748, left those boundaries still 
undefined. The English based their pretensions to 
the territories they claimed, on the discoveries of the 
Cabots. John Cabot, with his son Sebastian, had been 
sent out by Henry VII. of England on a voyage of 
discovery. These men were the first to discover the 
continent of America, in 1497- Columbus discovered 
the mainland of South America in 1498, at the mouth 
of the Orinoco. Sebastian Cabot, in a second voyage, 
took possession, in the name of his sovereign, of all 
the coast from Labrador to Chesapeake Bay. In 1524, 
a Florentine navigator, sailing in the service of 
France, explored the coast from the Carolinas to New- 



22 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

foundland. Ten years afterward, Cartier discovered 
the St. Lawrence river and took possession in the 
name of the king of France, and all the country north 
of it. The French, however, made no permanent 
settlement on the St. Lawrence until one was made 
at Quebec, in 1608. The English claimed all the 
coast from Newfoundland to Florida. The French 
claimed all the interior portion adjacent to the St. 
Lawrence, and the Mississippi and its tributaries, on 
the ground that they had explored it ; and in order to 
make good their claims they had erected forts in vari- 
ous places in this region. The Spaniards and Portu- 
guese had taken possession of all South America, 
and the former power had made settlements in 
Florida. Thus you see the powers of Europe, the white 
men, claimed all the immense territories of the red 
•men. It must ever be thus : ignorance and barbarity 
must yield to knowledge and civilization. The history 
of the red men, or Indians, is full of painful and tragic 
interest. There have been occasionally revealed 
among these untaught children of the wilderness the 
most noble traits of character — gleams and flashes of 
nobility that prove they were created by the Great 
Spirit, whom they profess to worship. Think of the 
heroic conduct of the Indian Virginian maiden Poca- 
hontas, who risked her own life to save another's, 
and of her kindness and generosity manifested to the 
infant colony at Jamestown. Where did she learn 
mercy?* Not from her cruel father or treacherous 

*Some historians now affect to disbelieve the story of the inter- 
position of tlie Indian maiden to save Smith. The elements of 
probability in this incident challenge our belief. Some persons are 
unbelievers in all heroism. " When a man is infected," says Dr. Ar- 
nold, "with anti-romance, he has lost the finest part of his nature." 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 23 

countrymen. No ; they considered it a virtue to tor- 
ture their enemies. Her virtues were instincts kindled 
in her breast by the Holy Spirit. There were, too, 
bold brave spirits among them ; such as Philip in the 
early days of Indian warfare (in New England), and 
Pontiac in the Northwest, and Tecumseh, half a cen- 
tury ago, who would have driven the white man from 
their borders, but the odds against them were too fear- 
fully great. 

A short time before the Revolutionary war com- 
menced (in October, 1774), the Shawanese Indians 
waged fearful strife in western and southwestern Vir- 
ginia. Some of the bloodiest and best contested battles 
in the annals of forest warfare were then fought. Of all 
the western Indians, the Shawanese were the fiercest. 
It was in this Indian war that "Logan" satisfied his 
revenge for injuries he had received previously, from a 
cruel white man. Logan made a speech in defense of 
his conduct that has made liis name famous, showing 
the cruel wrongs he had received. In their early history 
especially, many of their speeches to the white men 
were full of eloquence and truth. Some of our 
statesmen and historians have taken much pains and 
pleasure to present in their pages the burning words 
and forcible remonstrances of the poor Indian — but, 
alas ! they could avail nothing. It was the plan of a 
wise Providence that the more enlightened white man 
should possess this great country. It was the plan of 
God that the religion of Christ should in this land 
have full scope and extension. Retribution doubt- 
less has come, and will come, upon the oppressors of 
this poor savage people. The Great Spirit has heard 
and will hear their cry. Heaven's unerring arm will 



24 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

certainly fall upon those who wantonly have done or 
are doinsf them wrong. The historical memories of 
this strange people are embalmed in the grand na- 
tional features of our country. To future generations, 
the names of our lakes, rivers, and mountains wall 
bear the most certain testimony of the existence and 
residence of this peculiar people. 



CHAPTER V. 

Come, bright improvement! on the car of Time, 
And rule the spacious world from clime to clime; 
Thy handmaid arts shall every wild explore, 
Trace every wave, and culture every shore. 
On Erie's banks, where tigers steal along 
And the dread Indian chants a dismal song. 
Each wandering genius of the lonely glen 
Shall start to view the glittering haunts of men. 

We now return to the historical events of which we 
were speaking. In consequence of the conflicting 
claims between England and France a war ensued, 
called the French and Indian war. It was a contest 
for territory and dominion in America. An organiza- 
tion known as the Ohio Company had obtained from 
the king of England a grant of land on and near the 
Ohio river, for the purpose of settling the country 
and carrying on the fur trade with the Indians. The 
plan formed by France, of uniting Canada with 
Louisiana by a line of forts, now began to be de- 
veloped. They began to make aggressive acts on 
the land claimed by the Ohio Compan}'-, and within 
the province of Virginia. A line of posts was com- 
menced from the lakes to the Ohio. The attention of 
Mr. Dinwiddle, then Governor of Virginia, was at- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 25 

tracted to the encroachments of the French. He there- 
fore deemed it his duty, in the name of the king of 
England, his master, to protest against the violation 
of treaties between the two crowns. The envoy se- 
lected to carry the remonstrance of the Governor of 
Virginia to the French commandant was George Wash- 
ington, not then twenty-two years of age. Fame 
waited on him from his youth. Washington seems to 
have accepted this arduous mission with alacrity, ex- 
tending perhaps his view, with prophetic foresight, to 
the future scenes that would be enacted in that coun- 
try. Washington set out on his mission on the last 
day of October, 1753, from Williamsburg, then the 
capital of Virginia. He was sent to a council of 
Indian chiefs on the Ohio, and to meet French offi- 
cers near Lake Erie. A poet speaks of a man in 
solitude, or on a desolate island, as being denied the 
greatest of human pleasures, " the sweet music of 
speech." It must have been a great embarrassment to 
Washington to be compelled to transact "business with 
men when both the savage and civilized man must 
speak to him in an unknown tongue. He took with 
him a French interpreter and several Indian traders. 
He had before him a difficult journey of four hundred 
miles, through a wilderness inhabited by hostile In- 
dians. When he reached the spot where the Alle- 
ghany and Monongahela rivers unite to form the 
Ohio, he examines the spot with the eye of an engi- 
neer, and recommends in his journal that the Ohio 
Company should build a fort at this place. A short 
time subsequent to Washington's visit, the French 
seized this place, after the Ohio Company had begun 



26 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

a fortification. They erected a fort, and called it 
Fort Du Quesne, alterthe French governor of Canada. 
Washington met in this vicinity several Indian chiefs. 
He gives a graphic account of an interview with the 
king of the Delawares, whose residence or wigwam 
was in the immediate vicinity of the present city of 
Pittsburgh. Washington was conducted by his guides 
to Fort Venango, on the Alleghany river, and from 
thence to Fort Le Boeuf, on French creek, where he 
found the French commandant, St. Pierre. On his 
return he encountered many hardships from storms 
and floods and hostile Indians. He reached Wil- 
liamsburg in eleven weeks from the time he had left 
it, and delivered to Dinwiddie, St. Pierre's letter in re- 
ply. St. Pierre said he was acting under the orders 
of Du Quesne, his governor, and that he should not 
leave the territory. The English now understood 
that it was time to prepare for a struggle with the 
French, if they would hold and secure their territory 
on the Ohio river. This expedition of Washington 
may seem to the young people of this day a small 
affair, but remember, it required much bravery of 
heart and bodily exposure to accomplish it. The 
perseverance with which Washington surmounted 
difficulties on this occasion, and the judgment dis- 
played in his intercourse with the Indians, greatly 
raised him in public estimation. The country over 
which this young man now traveled was a wilderness. 
There were savages to encounter — sometimes friendly, 
but more frequently inimical ; there were great rivers 
to cross, whose waters had never been disturbed ex- 
cept by the Indian's canoe, and almost inaccessible 
mountain fastnesses to traverse. On one occasion 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 27 

his dusky guide proved treacherous. Turning suddenly 
around, he sped an arrow in the direction of Wash- 
ington and his companion, Mr. Gist. It fell harmless 
at their feet : then Mr. Gist would have killed the In- 
dian, deeming an Indian's life of little worth, but 
Washington stayed his hand. There was mercy in 
his Christian heart toward this stealthy foe. Now, 
all that region that was then so rugged in its wild- 
ness is clothed with beauty. The mountains still 
frown in their magnificence, the primeval forests still 
wave upon their summits, but man has made himself 
smooth roads around their sides and can travel over 
them with almost lightning speed, scarcely conscious of 
ascent or descent. The place that Washington sur- 
veyed as an excellent site for a fort, is now encom- 
passed by a large prosperous city. In our country, smil- 
ing landscapes, fruitful fields, the busy hum of cities, 
meet us on every hand. Have my young readers 
ever reflected upon these grand, glorious things? By 
whom were they purchased? How much danger is 
to be encountered, how many privations endured, how 
much toil, how many tears, how much blood, does it 
cost to build up a nation or an empire? Washington 
was the leader, the pioneer who opened the way for 
improvement. He was assisted by a band of noble 
coadjutors, who laid the foundation of the multiform 
and wondrous structures which we now glorify. All 
nations have extolled their founders. The ancient 
Romans made their apotheosis, i.e.^ they erected sta- 
tues to those men who had suffered much in procur- 
ing blessings for their countrymen, and then placed 
the statues in the temples of their gods. We must 
not deiiy our fathers, but we must venerate and emu- 



28 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

late their self-denial, their industry, their independ- 
ence, and patriotism. Why are the deeds of virtu- 
ous ancestors and of the benefactors of states so 
praiseworthy ? It is because their work was not so 
much for themselves as for those who came after 
them. Life is often too short for the fruition of glori- 
ous deeds, but the works follow them. Let the foot- 
prints of the wise and good encourage you to follow, 
treading firmly the paths of truth and right, though 
the way be rough, and though thorns rise up to prick 
and sting you. 

CHAPTER VL 

But we will combat for our father's land, 
And we will drain the life-blood where we stand, 
To save our children; fight ye side by side, 
And serried close, ye men of youthful pride. 

St. Pierre's letter and the report made by Wash- 
ington of the warlike preparation he had witnessed, 
induced the Virginia assembly to authorize their gov- 
ernor to raise a regiment. A regiment of three hun- 
dred men was soon collected. Mr. Fry, a gentleman 
well acquai4ited with the western country, was made 
commander or colonel, and JNIajor Washington 
made lieutenant-colonel. Washington seemed to con- 
sider it important to enter into active service imme- 
diately. He therefore requested that he might march 
in advance with two companies. He accordingly set 
out m the beginning of April, 1754, ^^ ^ place on the 
Monongahela river called " Great Meadows." As 
soon as ht^ arrived, he was informed by some friendly 
Indians that the French had dispossessed the work- 
men employed by the Ohio Company to erect a fort 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 29 

at the confluence of the Alleghany and Monongahela 
rivers, and were themselves completing the fort called 
Fort Du Quesne. They further told them that a de- 
tachment from that place was on its march to the 
" Great Meadows." The Indians offering themselves 
as guides, Col. Washington set out on a dark rainy 
night. He surrounded the French encampment and 
completely surprised it. It was a few miles west of the 
" Great Meadows." At daybreak, Washington's troops 
fired and rushed upon the French, who immediately 
surrendered. One man only escaped. There was. but 
one man killed, but he was a person of distinction : it 
was Mr. Jumonville, the commanding officer. It is 
s^id, we believe on the authority of Chateaubriand 
(a famous Frenchman), that the death of Jumonville 
was greatly deplored in the salons of Paris, and the 
young man Washington execrated. 

So you see that even at this early day the eyes of 
the intelligent and fashionable in the Old World were 
cast with interest on the rising fortunes of the New. 
The residue of the regiment was now on its way to join 
Washington's detachment. Col. Fry died at Patter- 
son's creek, on his way thither. The command then 
devolved on Col. Washington. Their junction took 
place at the Great Meadows, soon after which two in- 
dependent companies arrived — one from South Caro- 
lina, the other from New York. The Virginia regi- 
ment was not complete ; there were in all less than 
four hundred effective men. Fort Necessity was 
erected at the Great Meadows for the purpose of se- 
curing the provisions and the horses. The troops then 
commenced to march to Fort Du Quesne, to dispossess 
the French. When they reached Laurel Hill, about 



30 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

fourteen miles from Fort Necessity, they were met by 
friendly Indians, who told them that the French were 
advancing in numbers "like the pigeons in the woods." 
A trustworthy chief informed them that the French 
were eight hundred in number, and the Indians about 
four hundred. The situation of Washington and his 
troops was truly hazardous. They had been without 
bread for six days. The army marching against 
them could approach within five miles of the fort 
where they had left their provisions, and cut oft' their 
supplies. A council of war determined to fall back to 
the fort at the Great Meadows. In pursuance of this 
advice. Col. Washington began to ditch around the 
fort. Before they had proceeded far with their work, 
the enemy, amounting to fifteen hundred men, under 
De Villiers, appeared and commenced a furious at- 
tack upon the fort. The Americans met them with 
intrepidity, fighting partly within the fort and in the 
ditch half-filled with water. Col. Washington, it is 
said, fought the whole day on the outside of the fort. 
The enemy fought under cover of the trees and high 
grass. The engagement lasted from ten in the 
morning until dark, when Monsieur De Villiers of- 
fered terms of capitulation. The fort was surrendered 
on condition that the garrison -be permitted to retire 
unmolested, with the honors of war, and be permitted to 
retain arms and baggage. Great credit was accorded 
by his countrymen to CoL Washington for his intre- 
pidity, and a vote of thanks was rendered to him and 
the officers under his command. 

Soon after this time, September, 1754, ^^^^ Virginia 
regiment was reduced to independent companies. In 
the winter following, orders were received from Eng- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 3I 

land settling the rank of his majesty's forces when 
serving with the provincial forces in North America. 
All officers commissioned by the king were to take 
rank of all^officers commissioned by the governors of 
their respective provinces. The field officers of the 
provincial troops should have no rank, when serving 
with the officers of the crown. Captains of the royal 
troops were to take rank of provincial officers of the 
same grade having senior commissions. Notwith- 
standing Washington's love for a military life, he de- 
termined to retire from the army, since he could not 
hold the rank that was justly his due. And, when 
pressed by letters, begging him to continue to hpld 
his commission, he replied he would serve with pleas- 
ure whenever he could do so without dishonor. Such 
were the punctilious feelings of this heroic soldier. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Wisdom's self oft seeks retired solitude, 
Where, with her best nurse, contemplation, 
She plumes her feathers, and lets go her wings. 

His eldest brother, Mr. Lawrence Washington, had 
lately died and had left him his paternal estate on the 
Potomac, Mount Vernon. To this place he now retired, 
but he was not long permitted to enjoy inglorious ease. 
General Braddock hearing of his merit, and the mo- 
tives which had induced him to decline military serv- 
ice, now invited him to become his aid. This invita- 
tion was accepted, with the stipulation that when the 
campaign was over he might be permitted to retire to 
his private affairs. Col. Washington accompanied 



32 MEMOIR OF -WASHINGTON. 

Braddock to Will's creek, afterward Fort Cumberland 
(now the city of Cumberland, in northwestern Mary- 
land). It is at the eastern base of the Alleghany 
Mountains. Here the army was detained,. waiting for 
■wagons to take their provisions. Washington advised 
that they should use pack-horses, instead of wagons^ 
on account of the bad roads. His advice v\as rejected at 
first, but afterward adopted. This army of Braddock's 
consisted of two British regiments and a few corps of 
provincials. Washington was taken ill on the road 
and compelled to stop. He urged Braddock to take 
as little baggage as possible, and to choose a select 
corps in order to press on to Fort Du Quesne before 
the whole body of the French army expected at that 
place could arrive. Braddock adopted this advice. 
He selected twelve hundred men, to be commanded 
in person by Braddock, accompanied by Sir Peter 
Halket as a brigadier ; Dunbar and Chapman were 
to remain with the residue of the regiments and 
the heavy baggage. Washington was disappointed 
that there was not more celerity used. He writes to 
his brother, that this army had occupied four days in 
reaching the crossing of the Youghiogheny, a distance 
of only nineteen miles. "They stop," complained 
Washington, " to level every mole-hill and throw 
bridges over every brook." The day before the action 
on the Monongahela, Washington rejoined the army. 
Washington, knowing the habits of the Indians, 
begged that a party of scouts should be sent in front to 
examine the ground and watch the Indians. This all- 
important suggestion was disregarded. The army 
soon fell into an ambush of French and Indians. In 
a short time after this action commenced, Washington 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 33 

was the only aid who remained alive and unwounded. 
Upon him, therefore, devolved the whole duty of car- 
rying the orders of the commander-in-chief. He had 
two horses killed under him, and four bullets passed 
through his coat. Dr. Craik, his surgeon and friend, 
was an eye-witness of this bloody affair, and expected 
every moment to see him fall, lie said, in relating the 
incidents of this tragedy. The action lasted three 
hours. The brave Braddock, after having three 
horses killed under him, received a mortal wound. 
He died four days after the battle. The superintend- 
ing providence of God saved Washington unhurt. 
As there was no chaplain present, Washington him- 
self read the funeral service over the body of his com- 
mander. Braddock's troops, when their leader was 
killed, were seized with a panic and fled in all direc- 
tions. Washington, with pious care, superintended 
the removal and burial of the body. In writing to 
Gov. Dinwiddie, Washington says the officers of 
Braddock behaved with great bravery, but the con- 
duct of the regular troops (so-called) was dastardly ; 
they ran as sheep before hounds. The Virginia com- 
panies acted nobly and died like soldiers ; for out of 
three companies on the ground that day, only thirty 
men remained alive ! Washington's conduct in this 
battle has been greatly extolled, and it is believed by 
his countrymen that if Washington's advice had been 
followed, the terrible disasters of that day would have 
been avoided. "Braddock's defeat brought great suf- 
ferings on the back settlements of Virginia. 

The Indians were encouraged to make extensive 
depredations on the valley of Virginia. Many fami- 



34 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



lies fled from their homes, terrified by the incursions 
of ruthless savages. The Virginia legislature deter- 
mined to raise sixteen companies to defend the settle- 
ments in the valley from these wily, treacherous foes. 
The command of this regiment was given to Col. 
Washington. He was designated as the commander 
in-chief of the forces that were raised and of all that 
might be raised. A task like unto the labors of Her- 
cules was now imposed upon him. The frontier to be. 
protected was three hundred and fifty miles in extent. 
The militia system was very defective, and the num- 
ber of troops in the regular establishment was totally 
insufficient to protect so extensive a frontier. Maraud- 
ing parties of French and Indians were constantly 
attacking the small forts, and had frequent skirmishes 
with the scouting parties sent out against them. 
The people lived in continual alarm. "The suppli- 
cating tears of the women, and the moving petidons 
of the men, meet me wath such deadly sorrow, that I 
could offer myself as a sacrifice if it would contribute 
to the people's ease." Large bodies of savages 
were in the service of France, and in 1757 they 
spread desolation and rapine over the whole country 
west of the Blue Ridge. The exertions of the Vir- 
ginia regiments to protect the inhabitants were inef- 
fectual. Washington had for a long time been 
anxious to adopt offensive measures, but some time 
elapsed before his views were adopted. He desired 
to attack Fort Du Quesne and take it from the French. 
In 1758, his desire _w^as gratified. The fort w^ns 
taken without loss of life or the shedding of blood. 
While Washington and his men were advancing to 
the fort with painful steps, expecting a severe con- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 35 

flict, the French, pressed by famine, escaped down 
the Ohio river, deserting forever the place they had 
seemed so anxious to retain. Tliis fort, so all im- 
portant to the southern and middle provinces, had 
been surrendered by the Fre;:ch on account of the in- 
terceptini^ of their supplies and re-enforcements by a 
British fleet ; also by the success of th'e English and 
Americans in the North, which rendered it impossible 
for the French any longer to support this fort. The 
fort was now repaired, and a new name was given to 
it. It was called Fort Pitt (now Pittsburgh), after 
England's great minister, who now with much vigor 
and talent governed the nation. Col. Wasiiington, 
leaving two hundred men at Fort Pitt, returned to 
Winchester, from which place he soon after set out 
for the capital, to attend the House of Burgesses, 
of which he had been elected a member by the county 
of Frederick, Va. In consequence of the removal of 
the French from the Ohio, there was a cessation of 
the hostilities of the Indians. As the country was now 
relieved from danger, Washington determined to re- 
tire from military service. His health was impaired by 
his recent warfare and exposure. He resigned his 
commission as colonel of the First Virginia regiment 
and as commander of the colonial troops. 



36 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Domestic Happiness, thou only bliss 
Of Paradise, that has survived the fall ! 
Thou art not known where pleasure is adored, 
That reeling goddess with the zoneless waist. 

The troops that Washington had commanded in his 
late campaign made him an affectionate address, ex- 
pressive of the high opinion they entertained both of 
his military and private character. Soon after his res- 
ignation he was married to Mrs. Custis, a young 
widow. This lady had one child, a son — ^John Parke 
Custis. As an evidence of Washington's apprecia- 
tion of his wife, we must tell you that on the death of 
this son, in 1781, Washington adopted two of his chil- 
dren, G. W. Custis and Eleanor Parke Custis. The 
portraits of Mrs. Martha Washington that have come 
down to us, reveal a face and form of much beauty. 
She is said to have possessed the qualities which 
make a happy home. Washington's life and domestic 
record were as unspotted and pure as were the 
archives of his military and civil career. The inter- 
val of years between the marriage of Washington 
and his appointment as commander-in-chief of the 
armies of the " Thirteen Colonies" was passed chiefly 
at Mount Vernon. His attention was much occupied 
and interested in the improvement of his estate, ex- 
cept when public affairs called him hence. The win- 
ter months during this time were usually spent in 
the capital of his native state, representing the inter- 
ests of his county in the legislature. He took an early 
and decided part in the opposition made to the prin- 
ciple of taxation asserted by the British Parliament. 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 37 

What is it we are contending against? Is it against 
paying threepence more for a pound of tea? Has it 
become burdensome? No; it is the right that we 
have always disputed. For years previous to the 
declaration of hostilities, there were continual alter- 
cations between the mother country, England, and 
her colonies, chiefly on account of taxation. Parlia- 
ment declared the right to tax the colonies, inasmuch 
as much expense of treasure had been incurred dur- 
ing the French and Indian war, which war they al- 
leged was for the protection and benefit of the colo- 
nies. The colonies claimed that they had borne their 
full share in the expenses of that war, both in 
blood and treasure. The two states, Virginia and 
Massachusetts, were foremost in declaring that there 
could be no taxation without representation. The 
meaning of this is that, as our country was not repre- 
sented in the British Parliament, that body had no 
right to levy taxes upon a people who had no voice 
or votes in the matter. " It is the glory of England," 
says Guizot, " that she implanted beside the cradle of 
her colonies the germ of their freedom. The}^ were 
endowed with charters, which conferred upon 
them the liberties of the mother country." One of 
the first measures that roused open resistance in 
America was the Stamp Act. This was a tax levied 
in the shape of a stamp on all records and deeds and 
public documents. My young readers will recollect 
that they see constantly, nozv, stamps affixed to many 
articles that they purchase, also to all receipts of 
money, except very small sums. This is a favorite 
mode which governments adopt to obtain a revenue ; 
but they must understand that our present stamp acts 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



are the result of laws passed b}- our own state legisla- 
tures or by Congress. So intense was the indignation 
produced through all the American colonies by the 
passage of the Stamp Act, in 1765, that Parliament 
deemed it most prudent to repeal it the next 3'ear. 
Patrick Henry, in the legislature of Virginia, distin- 
guished himself by his bold eloquence in opposition 
to this act. The colonial Congress, held in New 
York, representing nine colonies, adopted a declara- 
tion of their rights. They sent a petition to the king 
and a memorial to Parliament. No officials were bold 
enough when the day of action came to carry this ob- 
noxious law into execution. The colonial merchants 
refused to import goods until the law was repealed. 
One year after the repeal of the Stamp Act, a tax was 
levied on glass, painters' colors, paper, and tea. The 
duties on all these were soon repealed, except the 
duty on tea. The tax was threepence per pound. 
The tea brought to New York and Philadelphia was 
sent back ; that brought to Charleston, South Caro- 
lina, was stored in damp cellars, and consequently 
perished. The ship-loads brought to Boston produced 
the greatest commotions. Men disguised as Indians 
cast many chests -of the precious article into the sea. 
As a punishment to Boston for this act and other meas- 
ures, the Boston port-bill was passed, which prohib- 
ited intercourse with Boston by water. Two regi- 
ments of soldiers were sent from Halifax to Boston 
to overawe the transgressors. In September, i774» 
the first Continental Congress met at Philadelphia ; 
Peyton Randolph was its president. This Congress 
recommended a suspension of commercial intercourse 
with Great Britain. Able state papers were sent to 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 39 

the king and the people of England, but they thought 
not yet of separation. Washington was a member of 
this Congress. He said, in October, 1774, that he 
was convinced that not one thinking man in all North 
America desired independence. He earnestly de- 
sired to restore tranquillity on constitutional grounds, 
but his indignation at the wrongs of Boston could only 
be appeased by redress. " It is not the wish of that 
colon}^ or of any of our colonies, to set up for independ- 
ence, but none of them will consent to the loss of 
rights, without which, life, liberty, and property 
are rendered insecure." Independence was not the 
premeditated design of the colonies, nor at first the 
object of their wishes. 



CHAPTER IX. 

Now I will unclasp a secret book, 
And to your quick conceiving discontents 
I'll read jou matter deep and dangerous; 
As full of peril and adventurous spirit 
As to o'erwalk a current roaring loud," 
On the unsteadfast footing of a spear ! 

To break off the established order of government, 
and to undertake the establishment of a new state, to 
begin an insurrection, is an act of most solemn import 
for such men as these were, or for any men of sense 
and virtue. The most far-sighted can never measure 
its whole extent ; the most resolute would quail if they 
knew the entire danger. The greatest minds of 
England opposed, with all the argumentative elo- 
quence they could use, the extreme measures of the 
king and his ministry. Chatham and his son Will- 
iam Pitt, Burke, Camden, Shelburne, Fox, and others 



40 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

exerted themselves for conciliation. "It is not re- 
pealing a piece of parchment," said Lord Chatham, 
" that can restore America to our bosom ; you must re- 
peal her fears and her resentments, and you may then 
hope for her love and gratitude. When your 
lordships look at the papers transmitted to us from 
America, when you consider their decenc}^ firmness, 
and wisdom, you can not but respect their cause and 
wish to make it your own. For myself, I must avow 
that in all my reading, and I have read Thucydides, 
and have studied and admired the master states of 
the world, but for solidity of reasoning, force of sagac- 
ity, and wisdom of conclusion under a complication of 
difficult circumstances, no nation or body of men can 
stand in preference to the general Congress assembled 
at Philadelphia. Throw down the weapons in your 
hands, remove the troops from Boston." Thus spoke 
the wise Lord Chatham. How beautiful the compli- 
ment he paid to the written protests of our forefathers ! 
Notwithstanding the eloquence of Chatham and the 
close reasoning of Camden, the motion was rejected 
by a vote of sixty-eight to eighteen. The Duke of 
Cumberland, one of the king's brothers, voted with the 
minority. The hearts of that majority, like Pharaoh, 
were hardened. "The debates of that day," says Ban- 
croft, " prove that the inevitable war was made with 
the ministry, and not with the British people." Dr. 
Franklin was then resident in London. He had heard 
with great admiration Lord Chatham's speech. He 
was now environed by danger. Some of the ministry 
affected to consider him the cause of the troubles of 
the colonies. Gage was his accuser from Boston, and 
Hutchinson, the former governor of Massachusetts, 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 4I 

then in London, his determined enemy. He knew 
himself to be in danger of arrest, yet he remained, 
hoping that his presence near the throne and ministry 
at this momentous time might be productive of good to 
his beloved country. The friends of the colonies en- 
treated him to stay, as there was some glimmering of 
hope that the manufacturers and merchants of England 
would successfully interpose their mediating influence. 
But the day of Revolution was at hand. No man, or 
set of men, could resist the tide of events that surged 
over the land. The opposition of Boston to the ar- 
bitrary measures that had been imposed upon her 
was bold and heroic. Indeed, the whole country was 
agitated and roused to a spirit of resistance by the 
wrongs of Boston. Virginia looked to Washington 
as her adviser in military affairs. In December, i774» 
the Maryland Convention, resting the security of free 
governments on a well-regulated militia, had recom- 
mended to the inhabitants of the province to form 
themselves into companies, under officers of their 
own choice, and had apportioned among the several 
counties ten thousand pounds in currency, to be raised 
by voluntary offerings, for the purchase of arms. This 
measure took the sword out of the hands of the gov- 
ernor, and directed the people to choose their own 
officers. The Virginians of the Fairfax county com- 
mittee adopted almost the very words of these reso- 
lutions, and Washington, as the chairman of this 
Fairfax committee, published the Fairfax resolves, as 
they were called, under the sanction of his name. 
Every county in Virginia glowed with zeal to form 
its militia, yet Virginia loved to consider herself an 
integral part of the British empire. " England, with 



42 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

all thv faults, I love thee still," was the feeling of many 
of her people. Though quick to resent aogression, 
they abhorred the experiment of changing the form 
of government, without some absolute necessity. Of 
all the colonies, it was the most open to attack. The 
bay of the Chesapeake, and the deep waters of the 
York, the James, and the Potomac, bared it to in- 
vasions from the sea. Virginia was now almost des- 
titute of mihtary stores, except a little powder in a 
magazine near Williamsburg. She had no military 
defenses. The late war with the Shawanese Indians 
had drained Virginia of her military resources, and 
left her largely in debt. Yet she met the coming 
storm with wonderful determination. 

On the 20th of March, i775» ^^^^ second convention 
assembled at Richmond, at St. John's Church. It 
was then and there that Patrick Henry made his 
famous speech, reported by Mr. Wirt in his Life of 
Henry. He offered the resolution "that this colony be 
put in a posture of defense, and that the committee 
prepare a plan for the embodying, arming, and dis- 
ciplining such a number of men as may be sufficient for 
that purpose." His speech was electrical, and pro- 
duced a conflict of feelings and opinions in every 
breast. The thought of an actual conflict with the 
mother country was new and startling. " What," said 
Henry, "has there been in the conduct of Britain, for 
the last ten years, to justify a hope of reconciliation? 
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, that it must be pur- 
chased at the price of chains and slavery ? Forbid it, 
Almighty God ! I know not what others may do, but, 
as for me, ' Give me liberty, or give me death I' " He 
was supported by Richard Henry Lee, who made an 



MEJ^OIR OF WASHINGTON. 43 

estimate of the force which Great Britain would em- 
ploy against the colonies, and, after comparing it with 
their means of resistance, proclaimed that the auspices 
were good, adding, " Thrice is he armed who hath 
his quarrel just." The resolutions were adopted to 
put the colony in a state of defense, and a committee 
appointed to give them effect. Henry, Lee, Jeffer- 
son, Washington, and others were members of this 
committee. 

Before dissolving this convention, she appointed 
members to Congress in the following May. Before 
this Congress met, war was declared by the shedding 
of blood in Massachusetts. Dunmore was at this time 
colonial governor of Virginia. He seized the pow- 
der in the magazine at Williamsburg on the night of 
the 20th of April. As soon as it was discovered, the 
people sounded the alarm, and he was compelled to 
restore it. 

On the 29th of April, six hundred well-armed men 
assembled in Fredericksburg, Virginia, pledging their 
lives and fortunes to resist all invasions of the rights 
of Virginia or of any of her sister colonies. This was the 
immediate consequence of Dunmore's violent acts. 
Washington and Peyton Randolph persuaded these 
men to disperse. A message from Massachusetts 
was already on the wing to apprise them that the 
battles of Lexingrton and Concord had been 
fought ; that war had actually commenced. (You 
of my young readers, who remember the actual 
beginning and announcement of the war in 1861, 
can form a definite idea of the horror produced by 
such a message.) It was on the 19th of April, I775> 
that Gen. Gage, Governor of Massachusetts, sent 



44 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTpN. 

soldiers to Concoid to seize upon stores of ammuni- 
tion collected in that place. Messengers had been 
sent in different directions by the patriots of Boston to 
inform the people on the road to Concord of the de- 
signs of the British general. When the regiment of 
eight hundred men, sent by Gage, reached Lexing- 
ton, they found a party of minute-men on the common 
to intercept their progress. There were about sev- 
enty men, young and old, under the command of John 
Parker. He ordered his men to take care not to be 
the first to fire. Their guns were loaded with pow- 
der and ball. Major Pitcairn, who commanded the 
British regiment, cried out, a few rods distant, " Dis- 
perse, ye rebels; lay down your arms!" The coun- 
trymen, too few to resist, yet too brave to flee, stood 
motionless in the ranks. Pitcairn, seeing their de- 
termined stand, discharged a pistol, and then cried, 
"7^/r^/" The order was at first obeyed by a few 
guns, and afterward by a heavy discharge of mus- 
ketry. Parker, seeing it was a field of slaughter rather 
than of battle, ordered his men to retire. Seven of 
the men of Lexington were killed and nine were 
wounded. The British troops halted less than thirty 
minutes on the village green, which they stained with 
blood, then marched on to Concord. The command- 
ing officer had before dispatched six companies of in- 
fantry to take possession of the bridges which lay at 
some distance beyond the town. While the main de- 
tachment was employed in destroying the stores at 
Concord, minute-men and militia were assembling 
from the town and from all the country around. The 
king's troops were attacked on all sides — the hills 
seemed to swarm with rebels. Skirmish after skir- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 45 

mish ensued. When the retreating party reached 
Lexington, Lord Perc}' met them with a re-enforcement. 
This re-enforcement kept the provincials at a distance 
for a time, by Xh^ir Jield-pieces, but as soon as the 
march recommenced, the attack of the provincials was 
redoubled. A galling fire was kept up from behind 
the stone fences until they reached Charleston, about 
sunset. In this action, or in the many skirmishes of 
that day (the 19th of April), the British are said to 
have lost two hundred and seventy-three men in killed 
and wounded. When we think of the immense 
masses of men that have been ranged in deadly strife 
against each other within the last ten years, both in 
our own beloved country and in Europe, the struggle 
of the 19th of April, 1775, niay seem a trivial affair, 
but how important and sublime have been the conse- 
quences of the events of that day. It was the begin- 
ning of independence to this vast commonwealth. 
" C'est le premier pas qui coute," says the French 
proverb. This first blow, or step, was now made, 
and all the people (with the exception of some thou- 
sands of loyalists) from Maine to Georgia felt that 
there was no retreating, unless, indeed, the mother 
country offered ample conciliation for the past. 



46 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER X. 

" His life was gentle; and the elements 
So mixed in him, that nature might stand up 
And saj to all the world, This is a man !" 

Lord North, the Premier of England, offered 
measures which he deemed conciliatory, but they were 
rejected. Ticonderoga and Crown Point soon after 
surrendered to a small army under the command of 
Col. Ethan Allen and the famous Benedict Arnold. 
Military stores of considerable value fell into their 
hands. Arnold also obtained command of the lakes, 
by seizing a sloop of war lying at St. Johns. Dun- 
more, the royal governor of Virginia, alarmed by the 
ferment produced by his seizure of the powder, went 
on board the Fowey man-of-war, then lying in York 
river, a few miles below Williamsburg. He never 
returned to the seat of government, and thus ended 
forever the royal government of Virginia. In revenge 
for a defeat he received from a body of Virginians, 
whom he had attacked with a force of tories and ne- 
groes, he, on the first day of the new year, i^^6, re- 
duced the town of Norfolk to ashes. On the very day of 
the capture of Ticonderoga, May loth, the second Con- 
tinental Congress convened at Philadelphia. Wash- 
ington was a member of this Congress, and was 
placed on all the committees whose duty it was to make 
arrangements for defense. His military experience in 
early life, the solidity of his judgment, the steady 
firmness of his temper, the dignity of his deportment, 
his integrity and patriotism, together with his inde- 
pendent circumstances, seemed to designate Washing- 
ton as the person to whom the destinies of his country 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 47 

should be confided. He was unanimously appointed 
commander-in-chief of all the troops raised in the 
united colonies and all that should be raised. An 
army of twenty thousand men was ordered to be 
raised. Washington modestly consented to accept 
the momentous responsibilities incposed upon him. 
He .declined all compensation for his services, but said 
he would keep an exact account of his expenses, ex- 
pecting Congress to discharge the debts thus incurred. 
The appointment of Washington as commander-in- 
chief was made on the 15th of June, 1775. Con- 
gress made a solemn declaration to adhere to him 
through all the trying hours of the coming contest, 
pledging their lives and fortunes for the maintenance 
and preservation of American liberty. " Two things," 
says Guizot, " alike arduous and great, are part of 
the duty, and may constitute the glory of man : the 
one is to endure misfortune with resignation ; the 
other to trust in a good cause with persevering con- 
fidence." Washington was, at the time of his appoint- 
ment, forty-three years of age. In stature he rather 
exceeded six feet ; his limbs were sinewy and well- 
proportioned ; his chest broad ; his figure stately, 
blending dignity of presence with ease. His com- 
plexion was florid ; his hair dark-brown ; his head in 
its shape was perfectly round. His dark-blue eyes, 
which were deeply set, had an appearance of resig- 
nation and an earnestness that was almost sadness. 
Whether Washingtonwas a man of genius or a man 
of great military capacity, like Caesar or Napoleon, 
has not been unfrequently agitated. No comparison 
can be drawn between characters so differently situ- 
ated. Washington was compelled to be not only the 



48 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

commander of an army, but the creator or organizer 
of it. Every detail was necessarily made under his 
inspection. There was no commissariat and no money 
in the treasury when he reached the army at Cam- 
bridge. From his early youth, he evinced more mili- 
tary capacity than his associates. The neglect of his 
advice cost Braddock his life, in 1755. The skill and 
energy visible in the .operations of Forbes, by which 
the valley of the Ohio was recovered, has always been 
attributed to him. He could not trace with the pencil 
of the painter the glowing landscape, nor mold as a 
sculptor the marble. He was not a musician, nor 
was he an orator like Henry or Rutledge ; but, by a 
wonderful combination of qualities of mind and heart, 
he created a nation. He had " an eye like Mars, to 
threaten and command." He was the father of his 
country. He was equal to all the trying emergencies 
that met him, not only as a general, but as a president. 
" What a relief," says Lord Brougham (after contem- 
plating the character of Napoleon), " does the friend 
of mankind, the lover of virtue, experience when, turn- 
ing from the contemplation of such a character, his 
eye rests upon the greatest man of any age — the only 
one upon whom the epithet so thoughtlessly lavished 
by men can be innocently and justly bestowed." 
Washington has been sometimes called the American 
Fabius, from an opinion that the art of avoiding gen- 
eral engagements, of deceiving the enem}'^ by tem- 
porizing, was his peculiar taste and talent. (Fabius, 
my young readers must remember, was a wise, pru- 
dent Roman general, whose adversary was the 
greatest general of his age — the renowned Hannibal 
of Carthage. Fabius generally preferred to harass 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 49 

and deceive his foes, than to rneet them in a pitched 
battle. The battles of Trenton and Princeton show, 
that whenever it was practicable or possible Washing- 
ton was anxious to assume the offensive. Bancroft 
says, in speaking of the religious feelings of Wash- 
ington, he was profoundly impressed with confidence 
in God's Providence, and exemplary in his respect 
for the forms of public worship. No philosopher of 
the eighteenth century was more firm in the support 
of the freedom of religious opinions — none more re- 
mote from bigotr}'- ; but belief in God and trust in His 
overruling power formed the essence of his char- 
acter. " He was a man of action, not of words; his 
creed appears in his life, not in his professions, which 
rarely burst from him except in those great moments 
of crisis, when earth and heaven seemed to meet, and 
his emotions became too intense for suppression ; but 
his whole being was one continued act of faith in the 
eternal, intelligent, moral order of the universe." 
Integrity was so completely the law of his nature, 
that a planet would sooner have shot from its sphere 
than he have wandered from the path of uprightness, 
which was so constant that it seemed almost imper- 
sonal. This is very eloquent and very just, yet 
Washington's religion did not dwell in cold abstrac- 
tions. He doubtless felt the need of all those helps 
which the church has provided for the sustenance and 
spiritual growth of her children. He was a man of 
prayer. It is said upon excellent authority, that he 
never went into battle without retiring first for seci-et 
prayer, when time and opportunity permitted. He 
obeyed the command of our Lord, " Do this in remem- 
brance of me." He was a communicant of the Episcopal 



50 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

Cliurch, in which he had been educated. He was a 
regular attendant of the church in his neighborhood, 
when at home. When President of the United States, 
he was a member of the congregation which wor- 
shiped at Christ Church, Philadelphia, Bishop White 
being at that time the rector. 



CHAPTER XI. 

What constitutes a state? 

Not high raised battlements or labored mound, 

Thick walls or moated gates, 

Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned, 

Not bays and broad armed ports, 

Where laughing at the storm rich navies ride. 

No! men, high-minded men. 

Men who their duties know. 

Who know their rights, and knowing dare maintain. 

Upon the arrival of re-enforcements from England, 
under Generals Howe, Burgoyne, and Sir Henry 
Clinton, Gage issued a proclamation about the last of 
May, 1775, declaring all Americans in arms rebels 
and traitors, but offering pardon to those who should 
at once return to their allegiance. John Hancock 
and Samuel Adams were excepted from this offer. 
It was now evident that the British meditated offen- 
sive operattons. The Provincial Congress now re- 
commended the defense of Dorchester Neck and the 
occupation of a high piece of ground just within the 
peninsula, on which Charlestown stands. A detach- 
ment of one thousand men was sent under Col. Pres- 
cott to take possession, but Breed's Hill was marked 
out instead of Bunker's Hill for the proposed intrench- 
ments. This party, by diligent work, threw up in one 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 5 1 

night a square redoubt forty yards on each side. The 
ships ■ of war stationed in the river near by, knew 
nothing of the fortification in progress. When day- 
light revealed the work done, a heavy cannonade 
was commenced. Gen. Gage tliought it necessary to 
drive the provincials from this eminence, as it over- 
looked Boston. He sent Major-General Howe, with 
Pigot, at the head of ten companies of grenadiers and 
the same number of light infantry. They perceived 
the Americans stood their ground with firmness. 
They therefore awaited a re-enforcement from Boston 
in order to render the enterprise secure. During this 
interval, the Americans received re-enforcements un- 
der Generals Warren and Pomeroy ; they also used 
this delay in pulling up post and rail fences, and ar- 
ranging them in two parallel lines a small distance 
apart — the space was filled with hay, so as to form a 
cover from the musketry of the enemy. The British 
troops were formed in two lines. Being re-enforced, 
they advanced slowly under cover of a heavy dis- 
charge of cannon, frequently stopping to allow their 
artillery to destroy the works. While they were ad- 
vancing, orders were given to set fire to Charlestown, 
a pretty village, which flanked their line of march. 
The scene of action was in full view of the heights of 
Boston and its neighborhood, which were covered 
with spectators taking deep and opposite interests in 
the awful spectacle before them. Twice the British 
ascended the hill within a few rods of the redoubt, 
and were each time repulsed with heavy loss. The 
third time they ascended, the Americans were forced 
to retreat for want of ammunition. The British lost 
in this action of Bunker Hill (as it is called) a thou- 



52 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

sand men in killed and wounded. The Americans 
are said to have lost four hundred and fifty men. 
Among the killed was Dr» Warren, a man greatly be- 
loved. About three thousand of the British were en- 
gaged in this battle of Bunker Hill. The colonial 
force was stated through the country to have amounted 
to fifteen hundred men, though some say the Amer- 
ican force was larger. The British considered it a 
victory, but it was dearly bought and fruitless. Nine- 
teen commissioned British officers were among the 
killed and seventy among the wounded. The Ameri- 
cans retreated to Cambridge. Although the ground 
was lost, the Americans gained confidence in them- 
selves and were greatl}' encouraged by the deter- 
mined valor and intrepidity of their raw troops at 
Bunker Hill. Two armies were sent to Canada, to 
prevent the country being used as a place of rendez- 
vous and supply for the British. Arnold commanded 
one division and Schuyler the other. Schuyler, how- 
ever, soon declined on account of sickness. His place 
was filled by Montgomery, an officer much beloved. 
Arnold, after a most tedious march through the wil- 
derness of Maine, reached Quebec. Quebec was be- 
sieged for three weeks, but the attempt to take it was 
unsuccessful. On the last day of 1775 » the Ameri- 
can army assailed the city in four columns. Mont- 
gomery fell and Arnold was severely wounded. Ar- 
nold effected a retreat and remained some time longer 
in Canada. By the middle of June, 1776, Canada 
was entirely evacuated by the Americans. Had Ar- 
nold fallen with Montgomery at the siege of Quebec, 
the darkest chapter in American history would never 
have been written. His character would have come 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 53 

down to US as a brave man, full of talent and energy, 
and whose best efforts, amid great privations, had been 
used for the good of his country. To the memor}'' of 
the heroic Richard Montgomery, a monument was 
raised in Philadelphia. In the British Parliament, 
the great defenders of liberty vied with each other in 
his praise. Barre, Burke, and Fox pronounced an 
affecting requiem in bewailing his fate. But for Ar- 
nold, the brave participator in the siege of Quebec, a 
traitor's grave was reserved, and a name consigned to 
infamy. 



CHAPTER XII. 

See what a grace was seated on his brow: 
A combination and a form, indeed, 
Where every god did seem to set his seal, 
To give the world assurance of a man. 

On the 3d day of July, 1775, Washington as- 
sumed the command of the Continental army. His 
headquarters were at Cambridge. When Washing- 
ton reconnoitered the enemy from Prospect Hill, he 
saw that they were strongly posted on Bunker's Hill, 
From this hill he took an extended view of Boston 
and Charlestown. Of the latter, nothing was to be 
seen but chimneys and rubbish. The main body of 
the British army was under the immediate command 
of Gen. Howe. Their sentries extended ong hundred 
and fifty yards beyond Charlestown Neck. On 
Breed's Hill there was a redoubt ; three floating bat- 
teries lay in Mystic river. A battery was planted on 
Copps' Hill, and a twenty-gun ship was anchored be- 
low the Charlestown Ferry. Boston w^as in the pos- 



54 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

session of the British. There were nearly seven 
thousand Americans in the city, many of them pin- 
ing with sorrow, exposed to many restrictions, and 
subjected to the mahce of the soldiers. There were 
some royalists among the inhabitants. There were 
more than ten thousand in the British army at Boston ; 
yet the commanding officer had never more than 
seven thousand effective men, in consequence of sick- 
ness, desertion, and other causes. But these soldiers 
were thoroughly trained, and well furnished with ma- 
terials for war. The American army lay in a semi- 
circle, from the west end of Dorchester to Maiden, a 
distance of nine miles. This army lay on both sides 
of the Charles river. The commander disposed and 
organized the army in three divisions. The right 
wing was under the command of Maj. Gen. Ward, 
the left under Maj. Gen. Lee, and the center was un- 
der the immediate command of Washington. The 
American army presented a motley spectacle. The 
camp contained a people in arms rather than an 
army. The soldiers had enlisted under different 
agreements, and for periods indefinite, but short. No 
one could tell precisely its numbers, or the state of its 
stores. Each colony had its rules of military organ- 
ization. There was little uniformity in dress or weap- 
ons, but their hearts were stout and brave. The 
American rolls promised seventeen thousand men, but 
not more than fourteen thousand men were fit for dut}'. 
Washington quickly saw the want of subordination, 
and the stupid confidence of inexperience, which per- 
vaded not only the privates, but the inferior officers. 
Washington was alarmed to discover that a great 
mistake had been made with regard to the quantit}'^ of 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 55 

powder they possessed. The greatest exertions were 
necessary to relieve this pressing w^ant. Congress 
and all the colonial" governments were called upon to 
supply their needo 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Man's love is but a thing apart; 
'T is woman's whole existence. Man may range 
The court, the camp, church, vessel, and the mart. 
Men have all these resources. We but one ! 

Soon after Washington assumed the command of 
the army at Cambridge, he invited Mrs. Washington 
to join him in the camp. Lord Dunmore had estab- 
lished martial law in Virginia, and it was feared by 
some that the favorite home of the rebel commander- 
in-chief would be marked out for hostility. The 
enemy might land from their ships in the Potomac, 
and lay it waste. Washington does not seem to have 
participated in this fear, yet he felt for his wife's 
loneliness, and wished her to be near him. Mr. 
Irving has given us a very graphic description of her 
equipage and of her journey to the camp near Boston. 
" Mrs Washington was accompanied by her son and 
his wife." She traveled by very easy stages, partly 
on account of the badness of the roads, and also out 
of regard to the horses, of which Washington was 
always very careful. Escorts of honor attended her 
from place to place. At Philadelphia she received 
the devoted attentions of the inhabitants. Her arrival 
at Cambridge was a glad event. The equipage in 
which she appeared was a chariot and four, with 
black postilions in black and scarlet liveries. It has 
been suggested that this was an English style of 



56 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

equipage which the Washingtons derived from their 
neighbors, the Fairfaxes. But in truth it was a style 
quite prevalent in Virginia at that day, especially 
when a long journey was to be made. Some of the 
families in eastern or lower Virginia lived in much 
elegance and luxury previous to the Revolutionary 
war. There was some gaiety and entertainment at 
Cambridge, and in the vicinity, during Mrs. Wash- 
ington's sojourn, although the stern realities of war 
were around them. There are some letters of Mrs. 
John Adams still extant, which relate with much 
naivete the festivities of that, period. 

We will now give you an extract of a letter from Wash- 
ington, written about this time, to his agent at Mount 
Vernon : " Let the hospitality of my house be kept 
up in our absence. With regard to the poor, let no 
one go hungry awa}^. If any poor should be in want 
of corn, supply their necessities. I have no objection 
to your giving away when it can be well bestowed 
charity, to the amount of forty or fifty pounds. What 
I mean by having no objection, is that it is 7}iy de- 
sire that it should be done." Such traits as these can 
never be dimmed by the dust of ages. Little did our 
great and good Washington think, when he wrote this 
simple letter to his agent, that he was adding another 
gem to the crown of his fame, of soft, but enduring 
luster. We must now resume the thread of warlike 
events. Washington saw the necessity of driving the 
British from Boston. Several months passed away 
before the council of war consented to make the at- 
tempt. The first military maneuver of Washington, 
in the spring campaign of 17176, evinced his abilities. 
As soon as his army was recruited, he made a move- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 57 

ment as if intending to attack Boston. The attempt 
was merely a feint, and the garrison of the town discov- 
ered, to their astonishment, that in one night the 
whole chain of Dorchester Heights had been fortified. 
To frustrate every attempt at regaining them, hogs- 
heads filled with stones had been chained together, 
to roll down upon the heads of assailants. In conse- 
quence of this fortification, Boston and its harbor be- 
came untenable. 

Howe, who had succeeded Gage, determined 
quickly to evacuate the cit3^ The Americans did not 
molest the retreating foe, on condition that the British 
should not burn Boston. The British left Boston on 
the 17th of March, 1776. They were accompanied by 
several hundred families of royalists. They sailed for 
Halifax. Washington entered the town in triumph, and 
right joyful ^NQx& the people that Boston was delivered 
from its enemies. Howe remained but a short time at 
Halifax. He believed that New York presented su- 
perior advantages as a station for his arm}'. His 
views were directed to Long Island, as he knew the 
countiy was fertile, and would afibrd supplies to his 
army. As had been foreseen by Washington, the 
great effort was now to be made on the Hudson. 
Lord Howe, brother of Gen. Howe, arrived at 
Halifax just after his brother had left it. He lost no 
time in joining him at Staten Island, of which island 
Gen. Howe had taken possession. These generals 
determined to use every effort to possess themselves 
of the Hudson river. This river would open com- 
munication with Canada, and enable them, in a great 
degree, to prevent intercourse between the Eastern and 
Southern States. Georgia had some time before en- 



58 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON". 

tered into the confederation. They were now the 
" Thirteen United Colonies." Gen. Washington ^r^- 
ceded the Howes to New York. He left at Boston a 
small detachment, under Gen. Ward. On the day of 
the battle of Bunker Hill, Congress had elected four 
major-generals — Ward, Lee, Schujder, and Putnam. 
Artemas Ward was an old man. When Ward re- 
ceived his appointment, he said, " I have been always 
ready to serve my country, and am still ready, not- 
withstanding my infirmities." Charles Lee, the son of 
an English officer, was for a time a great favorite 
with the American army. He was invested by them, 
in their generous confidence, with virtues which sub- 
sequent events prove he did not possess. Lee claimed 
to be versed in the science of war — a soldier of con- 
summate ability, who had joined tlie American cause 
from the purest impulses of a generous nature. Gen. 
Charles Lee, the Englishman, must not be confounded 
with the family of Lee in Virginia, many members of 
which were so distinguished during the war, both in 
the cabinet and in the field. Charles Lee was re- 
garded by the English as a deserter from their serv- 
ice. No position was too high for his conceit. Claim- 
ing to have passed through high military ranks, and 
to be a major-general of five years' standing, it is said 
lie waited upon Congress with the hope of being made 
•' commander-in-chief." Both Congress and the army 
seem to have been imposed upon by his assumptions, 
for several 3^ears. Ward's early resignation placed 
Lee next in command to Washington. The third 
major-general was Philip Schuyler, of New York. 
" He had little genius to control undisciplined men, 
or to penetrate the wiles of a crafty foe ; he was 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 59 

therefore destitute of qualities which largely con- 
tribute to form a great military character, but he pos- 
sessed personal integrity, social consideration, and 
ardent patriotism. He willingly used his credit and 
influence and wide connections to bring out the re- 
sources of his native province." The fourth major- 
general was Israel Putnam, of Connecticut. His 
fame rested chiefly on deeds of personal prowess. 
He was brave, but had not the combination of quali- 
ties necessary in a general. His patriotism was ardent 
and his heart honest. 

Next to these came Horatio Gates, an adjutant- 
general, with the rank of brigadier. His experience 
qualified him for the organization of an army, but he 
was shallow in natural endowments and in military 
culture. He gained much celebrity from the victory 
of Saratoga, and the surrender of Burgoyne to him ; 
but the brilliancy of his reputation was afterward 
much tarnished by his conduct during the Southern 
campaign. " There was onl}' one general officer," 
says Bancroft, " when the continent took up arms, 
who drew to himself the love and trust of the coun- 
try. Of the five generals next beJow Washington, 
not one was fit to succeed to his place." 



6o MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

"There is a kind of character in tliy life, 
That to the observer doth thj history 
Fully unfold : Thyself and thy belongings 
Are not thine own so proper, as to waste 
Thyself upon thy virtues, them on thee. 
Heaven doth with us as we with torches do, 
Not light them for themselves; 
Spirits are not finely touched, but to fine issues." 

Congress appointed, on the 21st of June, 1775. 
eight brigadiers. Pomeroy, who received the first 
appointment, retired from the camp on account of his 
age before he received his commission. The second 
brigadier was Richard Montgomery — seventh from 
Washington in rank, but next to him in merit. He 
was followed by David Wooster ; then came William 
Heath ; next to him was Joseph Spencer ; then John ' 
Thomas, of Massachusetts, a good general officer ; 
John Sullivan, of New Hampshire, not free from de- 
fects and foibles, but enterprising, able, and spirited ; 
the last was Nathaniel Greene, of Rhode Island, 
who, after Washington, had no superior in natural 
resources, unless it were Montgomery. These were 
the men who led our armies in the Revolutionary 
struirele. Officers of inferior rank but of great merit 
soon became conspicuous. Morgan, the colonel of the 
Virginia riflemen, was a daring and most efficient' 
officer ; and Mercer, also of Virginia, who fell at 
Princeton, and Moultrie, Sumpter, and Marion, of 
South Carolina, acted most nobly and heroically. Gen. 
Knox, too, was a man of much military information 
and a good artillery officer. In 1777, Henry Lee, of 
Virginia, makes his appearance. His adventurous ex- 



MEiMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 6l 

ploits and gallantry gained him the appellation of 
" Light Horse Harry," He was a great favorite with 
Washington throughout the war. The fame of the 
American struggle for independence brought foreign 
officers as candidates for admission into the patriot 
army. How and where to place these men, some of 
them of great merit, caused much embarrassment to 
the commander-in-chief. Their ignorance of our 
language was a great obstacle to their full efficiency. 
Washington was compelled to use much prudence in 
promoting the foreign officers, lest he should disgust 
our own men, who had already borne much privation 
and suffering. The most beloved of all the foreign- 
ers by Americans was the young Marquis de La 
Fayette. It was at a public dinner in Philadelphia, 
w here a number of members of Congress were pres- 
ent, that Washington first saw La Fayette. The 
latter said that he immediately knew Washington, 
surrounded as he was by officers, from his command- 
ing air and person. The marquis was not yet twenty 
years of age, but had already been married two 3'ears, 
to a lady of rank and fortune. Subsequent events 
proved this lady to be a model of conjugal devotion, 
and adorned with every pious and virtuous trait 
that makes woman estimable and lovely. The 
marquis, full of the romance of liberty, had torn him- 
self from his youthful bride ; he had turned away 
from the gaieties and splendors of a court, and in de- 
fiance of many impediments had made his way to 
America. La Fayette sent to Congress the following 
note : " After the sacrifices I have made, I have the 
right to ask two favors : one is to serve at my own 
expense ; the other, to commence by serving as a vol- 



62 - MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

unteer." 'His simple appeal induced Congress at once 
to make him major-general in the army of the 
United States. Among the officers who came with 
La Fayette was the Baron De Kalb. He also Avas 
made major-general. Colonel Conway, a native of 
Ireland, was another foreign officer^ who desired an 
appointment iri the American army. He had served, 
he said, thirty years in the armies of France. Con- 
way received the appointment of brigadier-general, 
of which he afterward proved himself unworthy. 
He was boastful and jtresumptuous, and became noted 
for his intrigues and for a cabal against the com- 
mander-in-chief.. This conspiracy was entitled 
"Conway's Cabal." He afterward expressed great 
regret at his conduct^ and wrote, when he considered 
himself dying, a penitent and apologetic letter to 
Washington. A candidate of a different stamp was 
the generous, gallant Kosciusko. He was a Pole, of 
an ancient family, and had been educated at the mil- 
itary school of Warsaw. He came to Washington 
with a letter from Dr. Franklin. " What do you seek 
here ?" inquired the commander-in-chief. " To fight for 
American independence." " What can you do?" "Try 
me." Washington was pleased with his curt reply 
and with his chivalrous air and spirit, and at once re- 
ceived him into his family as aide-de-camp. Con- 
gress afterward appointed him an engineer, with the 
rank of colonel. He proved a valuable officer 
throughout the Revolution, and won an honorable 
name in our country. If my young readers are familiar 
with the poetry of Thomas Campbell, they will re- 
member a pretty couplet in connection with Kos- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 6^ 

ciusko. In speaking of a disastrous battle in Poland, 
the poet says : 

" Hope, for a season, bade the world /a re^veli, 
And'freedom shrieked when Kosciusko fell." 

Another officer of distinguished merit, also a Pole, 
was Count Pulaski. He was recommended by Dr. 
Franklin as an officer whose bravery and conduct in 
defense of the liberties of his own country against 
Russia,. Austria, and Prussia was celebrated through- 
out Europe. Pulaski afterward fell at the siege of 
Savannah. In 1778, Baron Steuben, through the per- 
suasion of the French Minister of War, came to 
America and offered his services. The French were 
preparing to befriend the American cause, and they 
were anxious to secure the services of a thorough dis- 
ciplinarian for American armies. Steuben, by Wash- 
ington's direction, proceeded to Congress. His letters 
procured him a distinguished reception from the 
President of Congress. He offered his services as a 
volunteer, making no condition for rank or pay. His 
services were accepted by a committee appointed by 
Congress, with a vote of thanks for his disinterested- 
ness, and he was ordered to go to Valley Forge. The 
army, in its squalid quarters and ragged condition, pre- 
sented a miserable aspect to one who had been accus- 
tomed to the order and appointments of European 
camps. But the liberal mind of Steuben made every 
allowance, and Washington found him a consummate 
soldier. He was made inspector-general. The whole 
army was brought under drill. What proved a difficulty 
to the aide-de-camp of the great Frederick, was his 
ignorance of our language. Assistant inspectors were 
appointed, who were Frenchmen, understanding botli 



64 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

French and English, who acted as interpreters for 
him. The army gradually acquired, says Irving, a 
proper organization, and Washington found in the 
baron a disinterested, truthful coadjutor, well worth}^ 
of the badge he wore, as a knight of the Order of 
Fidelity. 



CHAPTER XV. 

Fear not each sudden sound and shock. 
'T is of the wave, and not the rock; 
'T is but the flapping of the sail, 
And not a rent made by the gale. 
In spite of rock and tempest's roar. 
In spite of false lights on the shore, 
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea; 
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee. 

We have now attempted to give you in the last few 
pages, not only a portrait of the master who laid the 
keel of our ship of state, but also sketches of many 
of his noble coadjutors. Washington quickly per- 
ceived the difficulties of his situation at New York. 
All the means in his power were employed in defend- 
ing the city against the enemy but all his efforts were 
powerless against an enemy whose fleet commanded 
the sea. In order to prevent the enemy from ascend- 
ing the Hudson, or penetrating the East river, hulks 
were sunk. Fortifications were thrown up on both 
sides of the Hudson, also the narrow passage be- 
tween the islands, but all these precautions ultimately 
failed. While the war was thus boldly and vigorously 
carried on at the North, the Southern Colonies were 
not unemployed. Lord Dunmore was giving Vir- 
ginia much trouble. He had collected a considerable 
naval force, and with the assistance of negroes, whom 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 65 

he had induced to leave their masters, and any other 
forces he could procure, he commenced a predatory 
war. On New Year's day, 1776, Norfolk was laid 
in ashes by the royal governor, and Hampton v\'as 
threatened. He was soon repulsed, however, by the 
bravery of the people, who forced him to flee to his 
ships. The Virginia forces, who repulsed Dunmore 
and his men, were under the command of Col. Wood- 
ford, assisted by John Marshall, as lieutenant, after- 
ward Chief Justice of the United States. The first 
gun fired in Virginia against the British, was fired by 
George Nicholas, who commanded a party of Vir- 
ginians, at one of the tenders sent by Dunmore to de- 
stroy Hampton. About the same time. Gen. Clin- 
ton, having been foiled in an attempt to take the city 
of New York, proceeded with a large force to 
Charleston, South Carolina. He was accompanied by 
Lord Cornwallis and Sir Peter Parker. The people 
of Charleston, anxious to save their city, determined 
to make a great effort to protect it. They erected a 
fort on Sullivan's Island of palmetto wood. This 
island commanded the channel leading to the city. 
The garrison consisted of five hundred men, under 
Col. Moultrie. The fleet approached the island, and 
after a conflict of nine hours, the ships, much shattered, 
drew off and sailed to the North. Atone time during 
this conflict, Charles Lee, who had been sent to 
Charleston a short time previous with a few thousand 
men,'crossedoverto the island in a boat, to see if it would 
be best to withdraw or retreat. He found Moultrie 
and Motte so fearless and determined that he desisted 
from any counsel of this sort. When William Jasper, 
a sergeant, perceived that the flag had been cut down 



()(> MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

by a ball from the enemy, and had fallen over the 
ramparts, "Colonel," said he to Moultrie, " do n't let us 
fight without a flag." "What can you do?" asked 
Moultrie. " The staff is broken off." " I'll fix it to a 
halberd," said Jasper. Leaping through an embrasure, 
and braving the thickest fire from the ship, he took 
up the flag, returned with it safely, and planted it on 
the summit of the merlon. Victory crowned the ef- 
forts of these noble men at the close of the day. Of 
the four hundred and thirty-five Americans in the fort, 
who took part in this action, all but eleven remained 
alive, and but twenty-six were wounded. With tliis 
small cost of life had Charleston been defended and 
a province saved. The whole loss of the British 
fleet, in killed and wounded, was two hundred and 
five. The royal governors of the Carolinas, as well 
as Clinton and Cornwallis, and seven regiments, were 
witnesses of the defeat. The British commodore 
and General Clinton long indulged in reciprocal 
criminations. There had been no harmony between 
them from the beginning. South Carolina decreed 
that the fort on Sullivan's Island should be known as 
Fort Moultrie, This victory was gained on the 28th 
of June, 1776* Rutledge was appointed to return 
thanks to the defenders. He and Gadsden had sus- 
tained Moultrie throughout his trials, the former send- 
ing Moultrie during the siege, from Charleston, five 
hundred pounds of powder. To Jasper, a lieuten- 
ant's commission was offered, but he modestly de- 
clined, accepting only a sword. The tidings of the 
victory at Fort Moultrie were received at the North 
with great joy. But it was followed a few weeks 
after by a most serious disaster, at Long Island, New 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 67 

York. In August of this year, 1776, General Howe, 
assisted by his brother, the Admiral, commenced 
an attack on Long Island. In three divisions, 
on three different roads, they advanced toward 
the American camp at Brooklyn, then under the com- 
mand of General Putnam. The British army, to- 
gether with a body of hired troops called Hessians 
(furnished by the Landgrave of Hesse Cassel), con- 
sisted of thirty-five thousand men. Washington's 
army in the vicinity of New York was said to con- 
tain not more than seventeen thousand men. Major- 
General Greene, who was considered by his contem- 
poraries the most able general, except Washington, in 
the American army, was sick, and his command was 
necessarily given to Major-General Sullivan. Gen- 
eral Washington seeing that a battle must be fought, 
tried to prepare his troops for the emergency. He 
sought to rouse their valor and patriotism by stirring 
addresses to the troops. Notwithstanding his vigi- 
lance and his special directions that certain posts 
should be guarded and defended, many mistakes were 
made. As the action became warm, Washington 
passed over to the camp at Brooklyn, and beheld with 
anguish the inevitable destruction in which his best 
troops were involved. The carnage was great. He now 
directed his efforts to make a retreat, as the only al- 
ternative to save the remainder of his troops. Favored 
by a fog which hung over the island, he succeeded in 
making a safe retreat with his army to New York. 
This battle of Long Island was very disastrous. 
Some condemned the commander-in-chief, that he 
permitted the battle to be fought. The great value of 
the object to be obtained, the possession and the defense 



68 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

of the city of New York and Long Island, seemed to 
call for great effort and even risk for its attainment. 
About two thousand Americans were killed, wounded, 
or. taken prisoners. Major-General Sullivan was 
among the prisoners. The British loss was not more 
than four hundred » 

Had Washington relinquished Long Island with- 
out an effort to keep it, the censure would have been 
moi"e general. There was doubtless a defect in the 
construction of the army. There was not a body of 
cavalry present ; there were no videttes to watch the 
motions of the enemy. Congress, however, and not 
the commander, must be blamed for these defects. 
Gen. Washington had often remonstrated with Con- 
gress with regard to the construction of the army. 
He insisted on longer enlistments, and declared that, 
unless the army could be endued with more perma- 
nency in its organization, their cause would be lost. 
After the defeat at Long Island, whole regiments of 
militia left the army. Congress was now convinced 
that a new plan of military operations must be adopted. 
A permanent army of eight3'-eight battalions was 
proposed to be raised by the different states, in pro- 
portion to their ability. Bounties were offered as in- 
ducements to enlist. Virginia was expected to furnish 
fifteen battalions ; Pennsylvania, twelve ; Massachu- 
setts, fifteen battalions ; New Yorh, Jour ; North Car- 
olina, nine ; South Carolina, six ; Maryland, eight 
battalions ; Connecticut, eight ; New Jersey, four ; 
New Hampshire, three; Rhode Island, 'lzt>o ; Dela- 
ware, but one battalion ; Georgia, one. How differ- 
ent would be the quotas of troops in these days, were 
requisition now to be made ! 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 69 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Why look you sad ? 

Be great in act, as you have been in thought : 
Let not the world see fear and sad distrust — 
Govern the motion of a kingly eye. 

Lord Howe, soon after his great victory at Long 
Island, opened communications with Congress, with 
the purpose, if possible, of compromising the dispute 
between Britain and America. Gen. Sullivan, their 
prisoner, was sent, on parole, to Congress. A com- 
mittee of three was sent by Congress to confer with 
Lord Howe. Mr. Rutledge, John Adams, and Ben- 
jamin Franklin met Lord Howe on Staten Island, 
opposite to Amboy, on the nth of September, 1776. 
He received them as private gentlemen, not as a com- 
mittee of Congress. The negotiation was fruitless. 
The time had passed by when Americans would con- 
sent to return to the domination of Britain. On the 
4th of July, two months previous, the American Con- 
gress had declared her independence, and had sent 
out to the world her famous " Declaration of Inde- 
pendence," declaring in this instrument the causes 
which led to the separation, justifying the act to the 
civilized world by arguments effective and incontro- 
vertible. 

After the battle of Long Island, Washington re- 
treated first to the northern part of New York Island, 
and then to White Plains. At White Plains an un- 
successful engagement occurred, and Washington re- 
treated to North Castle. Lee remained at North 
Castle, with a detachment; Col. Magaw, at Fort 
Washington-; Gen. Heath, at Peekskill. Washing- 



70 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

Ion then crossed the Hudson into New Jerse3\ The 
Americans had two forts on the Hudson — Fort Wash- 
ington and Fort Lee. Washington had given dis- 
cretionary power to Gen- Greene as to the policy of 
holding Fort Washington. Greene thought the 
fort could be held, but, so formidable was the at- 
tack made by the British, that it was forced to sur- 
render. Fort Lee was then evacuated by necessity. 
Marshall savs : "Among the many valuable traits in 
the character of Washington was his unyielding 
firmness, which resisted these accumulated circum- 
stances of depression, and which supported him under 
them, undismayed by the dangers that surrounded 
him. He did not relax his exertions for an instant, 
nor omit anything which could obstruct the progress 
of the enemy or meliorate the condition of his army. 
He would not despair of the public safety, but strug- 
gled heroically against adverse fortune with the hope 
of vanquishing difficulties. He appeared before his 
enfeebled and harassed army with a serene unem- 
barrassed countenance, betraying no fears in himself, 
and invigorating and inspiring with confidence the 
bosoms of others. To this firmness of temper, to this 
perfect self-possession, is America in a great degree 
indebted for her independence." We believe that 
Washington was a chosen instrument in the hands of 
God to lead his countrymen to independence, or his 
faith would never have been so unflinching in the 
dark trying hours through which he was called to 
pass. His feeble army was pressed upon by the 
Bridsh army, from place to place, throughout New 
Jersey. Washington became very anxious about the 
safety of Philadelphia. His militia were deserting 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 7 1 

him at every opportunity ; his regulars were badly 
armed, badly clad, without tents or blankets, and des- 
titute of utensils for preparing their food. In the 
cold winter of November and December, 1776, 
Washington found himself at the. head of a small band, 
dispirited by losses and fatigues, retreating, almost naked 
and barefooted, before a numerous and well-appointed, 
victorious army. At this crisis, the British generals 
sent broadcast through the land offers and proclama- 
tions of pardon to all who would return to their al- 
legiance in sixty days. The splendid appearance of 
the pursuing army, and the beggai'ly aspect of the 
Americans, made many faint hearts suppose that the 
contest would soon end. But He "who holds the 
nations in His hand " had not so determined. The 
exertions of Gen. Mifflin, who had been commissioned 
to raise the militia of Pennsylvania, met with some 
success in Philadelphia. A large proportion of that 
city, capable of bearing arms, had formed an associa- 
tion for the defense of their country. Fifteen hun- 
dred of these joined Washington at Trenton, also a 
German battalion. Cornwallis was now rapidly ap- 
proaching him. He therefore crossed the Delaware 
with as much rapidity as was consistent w^ith saving 
the tents and breaking down the bridges. As the 
rear guard of the American army crossed the- river, 
the van of the British army appeared in sight. 



72 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

How blind is pride ! What eagles are we still, 

In matters that belong to other men, 

What beetles in our own ! 

His soul, like bark with rudder lost. 

On passion's changeful tide was tost. 

Gen. Charles Lee was repeatedly urged by his 
commander to rejoin him and the main army, but he 
nevertheless proceeded by slow marches, with an ob- 
vious disposition to retain a separate command. While 
marching through Morris county, he indiscreetly 
quartered his forces, with a small guard, but three 
miles from the British army. Before Lee had an in- 
timation of the approach of an enemy, Col. Harcourt, 
with a body of British cavahy, surrounded him and 
took him prisoner. This imprisonment of Lee was 
regarded as a great misfortune by those who still con- 
sidered him a general of experience and ability. 
Gen. Washington regretted it on account of his personal 
feelings and because of the public interest. He was 
not yet fully aware of Lee's selfish and unscrupulous 
character. Gen. Sullivan now obeyed with alacrity 
the orders that had been sent to Lee, as he was next 
in rank. Gen. Gates joined his commander also on 
the same da}^ 

Lord Cornwallis had failed to get boats to transport 
his army across the Delaware. This, for the time, 
saved Philadelphia. He now seemed preparing to go 
into winter-quarters. His troops were distributed at 
various places, from the Delaware to the Hackensack. 
Gen. Howe's object, in covering New Jersey with his 
troops, was to impede recruiting. To counteract this 
object, three regiments, together with eight hundred 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 73 

New Jersey militia, were ordered to remain at Morris- 
town. Gen. Maxwell commanded these troops. 

Gen. Washington, fearing that Gen. Howe would 
pass the Delaware as soon as it was frozen over, and 
seize Philadelphia, resolved upon the seeming des- 
perate expedient of recrossing the Delaware, and at- 
tacking at the same time all the British posts on the 
Delaware. To effect this, on the night of the 25th 
of December, he determined to cross about nine miles 
above Trenton. Gen. Irvine was to cross at the 
Trenton Ferry, and Gen. Cadw^allader opposite to 
Burlington. It was arranged that three divisions 
were to cross at the same time. Washington, with 
great difficulty, succeeded in crossing with the men in 
his division, but the other two divisions failed to exe- 
cute their part, in consequence of the floating ice and 
extreme cold. The cold on the night of the 25th was 
unusually severe, and the rain, hail, and snow fell in 
great quantities. Washington's army, consisting of 
twent3'-four hundred men, separated after the crossing, 
and marched in two divisions to Trenton. Washinpfton 
commanded the upper division. As soon as he arrived, 
he heard the firingof his other division, which had come 
by the river road. A severe action commenced. Capt. 
Rahl, who commanded at Trenton, was mortally 
wounded. His men, in much confusion, attempted to 
escape by the road to Princeton, but Washington 
threw a detachment in their front, and intercepted 
them. More than nine hundred prisoners were taken, 
six lield-pieces, and a thousand stand of arms. 
About twenty of the enemy were killed. The Amer- 
ican loss was trifling. This bold, vigorous movement 
of Washington took the enemy at Trenton by sur- 



74 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

prise, and greatly astonished the whole British arn:y. 
The exhilaration of the Americans was in proportion 
to the surprise of the British. The American cause, 
just previous to the battle of Trenton, had been 
deemed almost desperate. Washington had been de- 
serted by all the troops whose period of enlistment 
had expired. Some were determined, it was reported, 
not to permit the sixty days to expire before they ac- 
cepted the pardon- of Lord Howe. Cadwallader 
crossed the next day, and took post on the Jersey 
shore. Irvine and Mifflin crossed also, with about 
fifteen hundred men. Washington, encouraged by his 
increased force, determined to make an effort to re- 
cover the whole or a great part of Jersey. He now 
abandoned the Delaware, and marched by a circuit- 
ous route to Princeton. They decamped with perfect 
secrecy in the night, leaving their watch-fires burning 
and the sentries making their usual rounds. About 
sunrise, the American army met three British regi- 
ments. A severe action ensued, in which the gallant 
Gen. Mercer, of Virginia, was mortally wounded, 
while endeavoring to rally his troops. The death of 
Mercer was a great grief to Washington. They had 
served together in the French and Indian wars. The 
main body of the army under Washington came up 
opportunely in the rear, and changed the fortune of 
the day. Another victory was gained ! He was well 
supported by the troops who had a few days previous 
saved their country at Trenton. The British gave 
way, and Washington pressed on to Princeton. The 
regiments at Princeton saved themselves by a* precip- 
itate retreat to Brunswick. More than one hundred 
of the enemy were killed and three hundred were 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 75 

taken prisoners. This engagement is called in his- 
tory the battle of Princeton. The bold and unex- 
pected attacks made at Trenton and Princeton, had an 
influence on the fate of the war much more extensive 
in its consequences than might be supposed from a 
mere estimate of the killed and of the prisoners. 
These successes revived the drooping spirits of the 
American people, and gave a new impulse to the re- 
cruiting service. Philadelphia was saved for that 
winter,' 1777, and the State of New Jersey was 
recovered. Washington commanded an army with 
some hearts as true and as brave and bold as his own, 
but on him rested the tremendous responsibility of the 
leader of an army without discipline or permanency, 
without proper arms or sufficient y>^;/^5. He was en- 
couraged and sustained by the hope that by self-sac7'i- 
Jice, he might accomplish a grand, glorious work. 
The dignity of his position gave to his undertaking a 
sublime interest. Dr. Franklin, Deane, and Arthur 
Lee were sent to France to solicit aid, early in 1776. 
The government of France hesitated, but the gener- 
ous La Fayette, as we have before said, fitted out a 
ship in December, 1776, at his own expense. He 
was accompanied by De Kalb and twelve French offi- 
cers. How remarkable was the destiny of La Fay- 
ette. He figured conspicuously in the grandest and 
most varied dramas of political history. He tried to 
act as a pacificator in the terrible revolution of his 
own country, in 1789. The jealousy of tyrants con- 
signed him to a prison for two years, in Olmutz, 
Austria. In 1824, he revisited the United States, the 
land tor which he had shed his blood in his 3^outh. 
No Roman consul was ever received or followed by 



76 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

more rejoicing triumphant processions than was this 
great, good man. In 1830, the people of France 
asked him to select a ruler for them. He advised 
them to make Louis PhiHppe their king. To return 
to our history. In April, 1777, an expedition was 
planned by the British against Danbury, where there 
were valuable stores and tents. The detachment con- 
sisted of about eighteen hundred men. The invading 
party were soon obliged to retire by a different route, 
as the people in the neighborhood were in motion. 
They retreated hastily, like the expedition to Concord, 
in 1775. By a quick march, Arnold and Silliman 
confronted them at Ridgefield with four hundred men, 
while two hundred men under Wooster hung on their 
rear. Wooster, then in his sixty-eighth year, fell at the 
head of his men mortally wounded, but not until he 
had taken a considerable number of prisoners. Ar- 
nold's horse was killed under him. A British soldier, 
seeing him alone and entangled, advanced on him 
with fixed bayonet. Arnold drew a pistol, shot the 
soldier, and retired unhurt. Tiie British were sorely 
pressed in their retreat b}^ Lamb's battalion of artillery, 
and by Silliman and Arnold. For three days and nights 
they (the British) had little rest, until they reached 
their ships and embarked, protected by an able British 
detachment commanded by Erskine. The killed 
and wounded of the British are said to have amounted 
to two hundred, the Americans losing about half 
as many. Arnold, in braving the enemy's musketry 
and grape-shot a second time, had another horse 
killed under him. Congress, who at Washington's ad- 
vicehad elected Arnold a major-general, now voted him 
a horse caparisoned as a token of tiicir apjirobalion of 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 77 

his gallant conduct, but they refused to restore him to 
his former relative rank ; therefore, a sense of wrong 
rankled in his breast. Congress voted a monument 
to Wooster, who lingered a few days, ending a long 
and honorable life. About the same time, the Amer- 
icans, under Col. Meigs, destroyed some British stores 
at Sag Harbor, and Col. Benton captured Gen. Pres- 
cott, in Rhode Island. 



CHAPTER XVHI. 

I see them on their winding way, 
About their ranks the moonbeams play. 
Their lofty deeds and daring high 
Blend with the notes of victory ; 
And waving arms and banners bright 
Are glancing in the mellow light. 

Ini777' the arm}' was encamped atMorristown, New 
Jersey. ■ In the spring, it was removed to Middle- 
brook. Howe, after withdrawing his troops from New 
Jersey, established himself on Staten Island. Eighteen 
thousand men were now embarked on board the fleet 
of Lord Howe, who sailed up the Chesapeake Bay, 
but had previously landed the troops, who were on 
their march to Philadelphia. Washington hastened 
to dispute the progress of the British, and, with a 
large portion of his army, took a position at Chad's 
Ford^ on Brandy wine creek, where, on the nth 
of September, 1777, a battle was fought. This bat- 
tle was fought chiefly for the protection of Philadel- 
phia, but it was a defeat. The undisciplined raw troops 
were thrown into confusion, and, while a portion of 
the army defended themselves with great valor, they 
were forced to give way. Count Pulaski, the Pole, of 



78 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



whom we have spoken, was in this battle. Washing- 
ton made vigorous efforts to save Philadelphia. Gen. 
Wayne was sent with fifteen hundred men to hang 
upon the rear of Howe's army, but he was defeated 
at Paoli. On the 26th of September, Howe entered 
Philadelphia. A large detachment of Howe's army 
encamped at Germantown. Washington attacked 
this force, on the 4th of October, but was re- 
pulsed with the loss of a thousand men. Two forts 
on the Delaware commanded that river — Fort Mercer 
and Fort Mifflin. Count Donop, a Hessian officer, at- 
tacked Fort Mercer. Fort Mifflin was also attacked, 
but the assailants of both forts were repulsed with 
heavy loss. Count Donop was mortally wounded ; 
about five hundred Hessians were killed, and two 
ships destroyed. A few weeks after, however, both 
these forts were abandoned by the Americans. During 
the winter of 1777-78, the Americans were en- 
camped at Valley Forge, a town in Pennsylvania, on 
the Schuylkill. This was a time of great suffering to 
our troops. Some of the officers, in great need, re- 
signed their command. As the men moved toward 
their winter resting-place, at Valley Forge, they had 
not sufficient clothing to cover their nakedness, nor 
blankets to lie on, nor tents to sleep under. Their 
marches through frost and snow might be traced by 
the blood from their feet. " From his life in the 
woods, Washington could see through the trees a town 
of log-cabins, in regular streets, aftbrding sufficient 
shelter to save the army from dispersion. Had it not 
been for the love of country, for the patriotism of the 
soldiers, and their devotion to their leader, the army 
would have dissolved and vanished at this time." 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 79 

Washington's vigilance was unsleeping, to guard his 
army from surprises. On the 19th of August, 1777, 
Gates had assumed the command of the Northern 
army, which lay a few miles above Albany, near the 
mouth of the Mohawk. He, in conjunction with 
Arnold and Morgan and a force of nine thousand 
men, gained a splendid victory over Burgo3'ne, 
Fraser, and Riedesel, with his Brunswick troops. 
The battle was fought on the 19th of September, on 
the Hudson, near Stillwater or Saratoga. Gen. Bur- 
goyne had formed a plan for penetrating by the lakes 
to the north of Hudson river, as far as Albany, in 
order to cut off the communication between the North 
and South. His army consisted of more than seven 
thousand men, besides a regiment of Canadians and 
several tribes of Indians. Before reaching Saratoga, 
his army began to suffer for provisions. A detach- 
ment he sent to Bennington, to procure stores, met 
with a severe defeat from Gen. Stark. After the battle 
of the 19th of September, the condition of Burgoyne was 
very perplexing. While the British army declined. 
Gates was constantly re-enforced. At length, on the 
13th of October, Burgoyne surrendered. The num- 
ber surrendered was nearly six thousand men, together 
with eighteen hundred prisoners of war abandoned to 
the Americans. Forty-two pieces of the best brass 
ordnance fell into their hands. The total loss of the 
British, in this surrender, was nearly ten thousand 
men. This great victory is known in history as the bat- 
tle of Saratoga. In the report of this action, Gates com- 
mended Arnold^ with Morgan, of Virginia, who com- 
manded abody of Virginiariflemen,andGen. Dearborn-. 
Bancroft says ; " On this decisive day, men from the 



8o MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

valley of Virginia, from New York, and from New 
England fought with one spirit for a common cause." 
We have seen a very life-like, expressive picture, rep- 
resenting the surrender of Burgoyne to Gates. It is 
in the rotunda of the Capitol, at Washington. The 
splendid uniform of the British general finely con- 
trasts with the plain, somber dress of Gates, Morgan 
and his men, dressed in hunting-shirts, are looking 
grandly on without a particle of exultation in their 
countenances. Wliat a sublime interest must have 
invested all the American participants in that hour of 
success ! 

When the news of the surrender of Burgoj'ne was 
received in Europe, France acknowledged the inde- 
pendence of America, and promised immediate as- 
sistance. Spain, too, united with France. • When the 
Marquis de La Fayette obtained permission to revisit 
his native country, he retained, with his rank in the 
American army, an ardent zeal for her interests. He 
hastened to the court of Versailles, where he was re- 
ceived with favor .and distinction. He earnestly sought 
to impress the cabinet with the importance and policy 
of granting assistance to the United States. Having 
succeeded in his favorite object, and finding no proba- 
bility of active employment in his own countr}', he 
returned to America with the grateful intelligence that 
she would soon receive succor from France. He arrived 
late in April, at Boston, and hastened to headquarters. 
The intelligence brought by the marquis gave a new 
impulse both to Congress and the state legislatures. 
A requisition was now made on all the states, from 
New Hampshire to Virginia inclusive, for ten millions 
of dollars. The sums, when raised, were to be sa- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 8 1 

credly appropriated to bringing an army into the fieldr 
On the nth of July, 1780, intelligence was brought 
that a large French fleet had been seen between the 
capes of Virginia and the Delaware. The French" 
armament soon after arrived at Newport, in Rhode 
Jsland. The Count de Rochambeau and the Cheva- 
lier de Ternay were the officers commanding the land 
and naval forces of France in Newport. A second 
division of the army waited at Brest, for transports, 
and might soon be expected. Warm professions of 
esteem and confidence passed between the American and 
French commanders. Gen. Washinoton recommended 
to his officers, as a symbol of affection and friendship 
toward their allies^ to engraft on the American cock- 
ade, which was black, a white relief, this being the 
color of the French cockade. De Ternay commanded 
a squadron of seven sail of the line and five smaller 
armed vessels. This force was superior to that of 
Admiral Arbuthnot, who lay at New York with only 
four ships ; but three days after de Ternay reached 
Newport, Admiral Graves arrived with six ships of 
the line, which reversed the superiority of the forces. 
De Ternay looked with anxiety for the re-enforcement 
Irom Brest. 

On the first arrival of the Count de Rochambeau, 
he had been put in possession of all the forts and bat- 
teries in and about Newport. Arbuthnot, seeing that 
the French ships and frigates were moored in a line 
from Rhode Island to the Connecticut shore, so as to 
act in conjunction with the land forces, concluded to 
remain at his station off Block Island. Sir Henry 
Clinton was anxious, meanwhile, to attack Newport, 
and had made preparations to embark six thousand 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



troops for this purpose ; but Arbuthnot disapproved a 
combined attack by land and sea. Clinton, therefore, 
postponed his design, but encamped near the shore, 
and retained his transports for any enterprise that 
might be deemed proper. Gen. Washington was at 
this time near the Passaic, in Jersey. He, understand- 
ing Clinton's designs, communicated them to Rocham- 
beau. As it was not practicable for Washington to 
unite his troops wnth Rochambeau, he determined to 
attempt a rapid movement against New York, with the 
view of compelling Sir Henry Clinton to abandon 
the plans he had formed against Rhode Island. 
Washington collected an army of ten thousand men, 
and was in full march toward Kingsbridge, when 
Clinton suddenly returned, thus disappointing the 
hopes of Washington that New York was weakly 
defended. Count D'Estaing arrived in July, in 
Delaware Bay. Lord Howe had a short time before 
sailed from this bay. The count had been eighty- 
seven days crossing the ocean. Had he arrived a few 
days earlier, he would have inevitably destroyed the 
British fleet, so decided was the superiority of the 
French force. On D'Estaing's arrival within the 
capes of the Delaware, finding his plans disconcerted, 
he sailed to Rhode Island, intending to attack the 
English fleet as soon as it appeared oft^ the 
coast. Lord Howe followed him there, having 
received re-enforcements. A violent tempest came 
on , while the hostile fleets made ready for action, 
which separated and damaged the two fleets so se- 
verely that an engagement was rendered impracti- 
cable. Both naval armaments left Rhode Island in 
order to refit. Gen. Sullivan was greatly discour- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 83 

aged at the departure of the French fleet; many of 
his volunteers deserted him, and he was forced to re- 
treat. Lord Howe, shortly after this time, resigned 
his commission, and returned to England. Sir Henry 
Clinton evacuated Philadelphia in June, marching 
through New Jersey to New York. At Monmouth 
the two armies met and had a severe conflict. Lee 
had been exchanged a short time previous to this 
battle. Lee's division was in retreat when Washing- 
ton met them. He reproved Lee with some severity 
and insisted that he should return to the field at Mon- 
mouth. He obeyed the order and fought well. The 
advantage in this battle was with the Americans, who 
slept on their arms, supposing the battle would be re- 
newed in the morning, but Clinton retreated before 
dawn. Lee's pride was wounded by the rebuke he 
received from his commander. He wrote disrespect- 
ful letters to Washington, for which discourtesy, he 
was tried by a court-martial, and sentenced to be 
suspended trom his command for one year. He 
never rejoined the army. The transaction at Mon- 
moutli is another proof of the commanding influence 
of Washington over men, and also evinces that the 
confidence that Washington had once reposed in 
Gen. Charles Lee had greatly declined. Sullivan, in 
August, gained an advantage over Pigot, on the isl- 
and of Rhode Island. In July of this year, 1779, ^ 
body of tories and Indians devastated the valley of 
Wyoming on the Susquehanna river. From the in- 
cidents connected with this atrocious massacre at 
Wyoming, Campbell has made a beautiful poem, 
called " Gertrude of Wyoming." 



84 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

So do the dark in soul expire, 

Or live like scorpions girt by fire. 

So writhes the inind, remorse has riven — 

Unfit for earth, undoomed for heaven. 

Arnold took command of the city of Philadelphia, 
in 1778, after the British had evacuated it. He, 
during his residence in that city, is said to have con- 
tracted large debts, and in order to liquidate them 
had appropriated public funds. Arnold was tried for 
these alleged misdemeanors, and in conformity with 
the decision of the court, he was reprimanded by 
Washington. He never forgave the reproof. He 
complained that his services in the war had not been 
duly appreciated. Washington, willing to soothe his 
feelings, as a soldier of great merit, and remove his 
disgrace, gave to him the responsible command of 
West Point. His courage in battle and his patient 
fortitude under hardships had secured for him a high 
place in the opinion of the army. He was at this 
time unfit for active service, in consequence of 
wounds received in Canada and at Saratoo"a. His 
claims against the United States were great, but the 
commissioners to whom his accounts were referred 
for settlement, reduced them considerably. He there- 
fore appealed from their decision to Congress. Con- 
gress, through a committee, reported that the sum al- 
lowed by the commissioners was more than he was 
entitled to receive. His trial had lasted from June, 
1778, to the 26th of Januar}^ 1779- From the time 
that the sentence against him was approved, and his 
general requested to reprimand him, it is probable 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 85 

that his proud, unprincipled spirit revolted from the 
cause of his country. Thus soured and disjjusted, he 
commenced his career at West Point. " The preserva- 
tion of this important post had been the principal ob- 
ject of more than one campaign, and its loss, it was 
believed, would enfeeble all the mililary operations. 
West Point was peculiarly interesting to the State of 
New York, and in this state, Arnold's reputation as 
a great captain was particularly high. Washington 
was solicited by Arnold's friends to give him this post ; 
also, Arnold himself made a personal appeal to his 
commander-in-chief. It is stated by Marshall, that 
Arnold, in a letter to Col. Robinson, previous to his 
solicitation of this post, intimated a change of prin- 
ciples, and expressed a wish to regain the favor of his 
prince by some proof of his repentance. This fact, 
then, has induced the belief that Arnold desired this 
fortress as an acquisition which would give value to 
treason, while its loss would inflict a mortal wound 
on his countrymen and his form.er friends. To solicit 
power, that we may abuse it, is surely the climax of 
human baseness. Revenge, too, is the spirit of a 
demoniac; it is more tormenting to the possessed than 
to the victim; it is a poisoned clialice commended to 
other lips, but the dregs of which are wrung out and 
_ swallowed by him who offers it. In consequence of 
the letter to Robinson, who was a tory, a correspond- 
ence was opened with Sir Henry Clinton, the im- 
mediate object of which was to arrange the means of 
putting the important post of West Point into the pos- 
session of the British general. A personal interview 
with an intelligent, responsible person became 
necessary for the maturing of the nefarious plan, and 



86 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

Clinton selected Major Andre, an officer who held a 
high place in the esteem and affections of his general, 
for this dangerous mission. Andre became a spy, 
that he might confer, as he supposed, a great benefit 
on liis country. In the morals of a war code, de- 
ception, that can benefit friends and injure foes, is 
considered right and justifiable. Therefore, the name 
and fame of this emissary of the British general has 
come down to us untarnished. History and tradition 
have invested him with the virtues and accomplish- 
ments of a hero of romance. There was no romance 
in his death ; he died like a felon. He begged that 
he might be shot, but the rigorous prudence of the 
laws of war refused his request. The sympathetic 
reader passes rapidly over this dark page of American 
history, not so mvich on account of the painful, das- 
tardly fall of Arnold, the traitor, from his high estate, 
as on account of the deep sympathy felt for the sad 
death of the young, promising British officer. In our 
haste to get through this part of our subject, we have 
unwittingly anticipated the result without first relating 
the circumstances of the detention and arrest of Andre. 
The place appointed for the interview between Arnold 
and Andre was without the American posts. After the 
plans were all arranged, circumstances rendered it 
impossible for Andre to return to New York by water. 
He had ascended the river in the sloop Vulture, but 
he was compelled to return by land. With a pass or 
permit given him by Arnold, he had passed without 
suspicion (he was now dressed in plain clothes) through 
all the guards and posts on the road, and was proceed- 
ing to New York, as he deemed with perfect security, 
when one of three militia-men, who were employed 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 87 

as scouts between the lines of the two armies, sprang 
suddenly before him and seized the reins of his horse. 
These young men, whose names were Van Wert, 
Williams, and Paulding, soon comprehended the im- 
portance of the capture they had made. Andre of- 
fered them a purse of gold and his watch, and made 
many tempting promises of reward and permanent 
provision from his government, if they would permit 
him to escape ; but they rejected his offers without 
hesitation, and manfully resisted the sympathy which 
sprang up in their hearts for the unfortunate young 
man. They proceeded to search him. They found 
concealed in his boots exact returns, in Arnold's hand- 
writing, of the state of the forces, ordnance, anddefenses 
at West Point. They conducted Andre to the nearest 
military post, at North Castle, before Lieut. Col. Jamie- 
son. This officer, f^iithful himself, rejected the suspicion 
that Arnold could be a traitor. Andre, still maintain- 
ing the character and name he had assumed, requested 
Jamieson to send an express to Arnold, informing him 
that Anderson had been taken. Arnold at once saw 
his danger, and, flying from the punishment he mer- 
ited, took refuge on board the Vulture, and proceeded 
to New York. When Andre supposed that Arnold had 
had sufficient time to make his escape, he no longer 
affected disguise or concealment, but acknowledged 
himself to be the adjutant-general of the British army. 
Jamieson, anxious to retrieve any mischief which his 
incredulity might have caused, now hastened to send 
to the commander-in-chief the package which con- 
tained all the papers that had been discovered. 
Some time elapsed, owing to untoward circumstances, 
before these papers were received. Meanwhile, 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



Arnold had made sure his escape. Every precaution 
was now taken for the security of West Point. Sir 
Henry Clinton, however, undertook no enterprise 
against it, believing thiit the defection was confined to 
Arnold himself. A board of general officers, of 
which Major-Gen. Greene was president, assisted 
b}' La Fayette and Steuben, was called upon to report 
the case of the unhappy Andre, and to determine in 
what character he must be considered, and to what 
punishment he was liable. The candor and magna- 
nimity of Andre made a favorable impression upon all 
with whom he had intercourse. His frankness pre- 
cluded the necessity of an examination of witnesses. 
Major Andre was declared a spy by his board of ex- 
aminers. The execution of the sentence was ordered 
on the succeeding day to that on which it was rendered. 
There is a letter extant, written at the time of his ex- 
ecution by Col. Hamilton, who describes the character 
of Andre as singularly interesting, embellished by 
rare attainments and accomplishments. But he could 
not be saved from his sad fate ! Had the traitor 
been taken, it is probable Andre's life would have 
been spared. It was thought necessary that an 
example must be made. He encountered his fate 
with fortitude. A hundred years nearly have passed 
away since this tragical event, yet time has not oblit- 
erated the vividness of the mournful fact. Great ex- 
ertions were made by Henry Clinton. Arnold, too, 
had the hardihood to write to Washincrton in Andre's 
behalf. His interposition was unnoticed. Washington 
conveyed Mrs. Arnold to her husband, and transmitted 
to him his clothes and bajjafage. Arnold was made a 
brigadier-general in the British arn^iy, bul rank could 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 89 

not rescue him from merited contempt and detestatign. 
Arnold published an address to the American people, 
in which he labored to palliate his guilt. He after- 
ward committed great excesses in ravaging with fire 
and sword his native state, Connecticut. He also de- 
vastated.the coast of Virginia. Arnold was the only 
traitor among American officers through all the hard- 
ships, privations, and irritations of the American war. 
The thanks of Congress were voted to the three 
militia-men, who had rendered the invaluable service 
of exposing a deep-laid conspiracy. A medal, with 
a suitable inscription expressive of their fidelity and 
patriotism, wa^ presented to each. Two hundred 
dollars per annum were to be paid to each of them in 
specie. This small sum, for so great a service, proves 
the poverty of the public treasury at this time. Wash- 
ington made continuous efforts to obtain a permanent 
military force. He had opposed short enlistments from 
the beginning of the war. One portion of Congress 
seemed to be jealous of the army and apprehensive 
of its hostility to liberty when -peace should be re- 
stored. Such persons were unwilling to give stability 
to the army by increasing the numbers who were to 
serve during the war. How unjust to the American 
soldiery, and how unnecessary were such fears, the 
conclusion of the war proved. These fears were not 
altogether unreasonable, when it is recollected how 
dangerous and destructive to liberty great armies have 
proved under successful generals. But they should 
have better. understood the honest patriotism of their 
countrymen, and the self-abnegation of their noble 
commander-in-chief. 



90 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

CHAPTER XX. 

" They fought like brave men, long and well." 

In the latter part of i778> the war had been prose- 
cuted with great vigor in the Southern States. In the 
beginning of 1779, ^^^ posts remained in the hands 
of the Americans. There were, however, many al- 
ternations of victory and defeat. Col. Pickens de- 
feated an army of tories and British, at Kettle creek, 
as he was defeated by the British general, Prevost, at 
Brier creek. At Stony Ferry, also, the Americans 
were repulsed. Clinton, at the North, had captured 
Stony Point and Verplanck's Point. Stony Point was 
afterward recaptured b}^ Wayne, by a very brilliant 
exploit. The loss of the enemy in this adventure was 
six hundred. The Americans lost only fifteen killed 
and eighty wounded. Major Harry Lee surprised 
a post at Paulus Hook and took one hundred and fifty 
prisoners. Sullivan iiad been successful in checking 
the depredations of the Indians in western New York. 
He had been sent thither to avenge " the massacre at 
Wyoming." In the battle of the Chemung, he had 
destroyed forty villages of the Indians, and a large 
quantity of corn. Such are the horrid concomitants 
of war ! In September, 1779, Paul Jones, with a 
small squadron of American and French vessels, took 
two British frigates. This action lasted from seven 
to ten at night. Coimt D'Estaing, in September, 1779, 
appeared before Savannah. He expected, in co- 
operation with Gen. Lincoln, to recover Savannah. 
It was besieged for three weeks, and closed with a 
disastrous assault. Count Pulaski, so famous for his 
virtues and misfortunes, received his death-wound at 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 9I 

the siege of Savannah. He had been made general of the ■ 
American cavalry sometime previous. In 1780, the war 
was chiefly carried on in the Carolinas. Clinton ap- 
peared before Charleston, and commenced a regular 
siege. He sent also expeditions into the interior. 
Battle after battle ensued. An American corps sta- 
tioned at Monk's Corners were surprised and put to 
flight by Tarleton. This officer was abhorred by 
Americans for his alleged cruelties. At Washaw he 
overtook a body of patriots, and massacred or 
maimed all who fell into his power. Gen. Lincoln, 
after an obstinate and heroic defense of forty days, 
surrendered Charleston. After the surrender. Sir 
Henry Clinton, supposing that he had conquered 
South Carolina, proceeded to New York, leaving 
Cornwallis to carry the war into North Carolina and 
Virginia. Carolina, however, was not subdued. 
Gens. Marion and Sumpter kept up an active guerilla 
warfare, that required the British officers to be on the 
alert. At King's Mountain, Col. Campbell, with a 
force hastily raised for the occasion, met Ferguson, 
who was mortally wounded, and many of his men 
were wounded and taken prisoners. Gen. Gates, 
after his brilliant success at Saratoga, had been ap- 
pointed to the command of the Southern Department. 
After a terrible conffict, Gen. Gates met with a disas- 
trous defeat at Camden. So dissatisfied was Congress 
at his management and conduct in the battle of Cam- 
den, that it passed a resolution requiring the com- 
mander-in-chief to order a court of inquiry on the 
conduct of Major-Gen. Gates, as commander of the 
Southern army, and to appoint some other officer to 
that command until such inquiry should be made. 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



The choice of an officer for the Southern Department 
was submitted lo Gen. Washington. He unhesi- 
tatingly recommended Major-Gen. Greene for this im- 
portant field. Major Lee (Light-horse Harr}^ was 
made lieutenant-colonel of a legion, and ordered to 
join the Southern army. The brave Baron De Kalb 
was mortally wounded at Camden. After the British 
success at Camden, Sumpter was pursued by Tarleton 
and defeated with considerable loss. As soon as Gen. 
Greene was appointed to the command of the South, 
he promptly sent Gen. Morgan to check the course of 
the British. The battle of the Cowpens was fought 
January 17, 1781. It was a complete and decisive vic- 
tory for the Americans. The whole force of Morgan, 
on this occasion, was about a thousand men. He 
was ably assisted by Col. Washington and Col. How- 
ard, of Maryland. The consequences of this victory 
were very important, as it deprived CornvvalHs of one- 
fifth of his army. Pvluch embarrassment and perplex- 
ity were felt, in 1781, on account of the low state of 
the finances. Robert Morris, who was at this time su- 
perintendent of the national treasure, by great skill 
and good management of the finances, enabled Con- 
gress to prosecute the war. Money is a great desid- 
eratum in war. Mr. Robert Morris was a representa- 
tive from the State of Pennsylvania. It became his 
duty, as treasurer, under the impoverished state of the 
country, to create funds. He had been very active in 
establishing a bank in Philadelphia. Mr. Morris pos- 
sessed a degree of mercantile enterprise and credit 
seldom equaled in an}^ country. It was due to the 
financial skill and management of Mr. Morris that 
the active operations of the campaign of 1781 were 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 93 

not impeded, nay, defeated, by a failure of the means 
of transporting military stores for the feeding of the 
army. The unspeakable importance of a well- 
managed treasur}^ in a time of war, was never more 
strikingly exhibited than in the late civil war in our 
country. At Guilford Court-House, in North Caro- 
lina, Cornwallis came in view of Greene's armv. 
The action was long and diversified. The Americans 
finally retreated, but Cornwallis could not pursue. His 
losses were too great. Cornwallis proceeded, after this 
battle, on a dreary march of six hundred miles to Wil- 
mington, North Carolina, and afterward to Petersburg, 
Virginia. " No battle," says Marshall, " in the course 
of this war reflects more honor on the courage of the 
British troops than the battle of Guilford. On no other 
occasion had the British fought with such inferiority of 
numbers or disadvantage of ground. Gen. Greene's 
army (not to count the first line, which relinquished 
without a struggle its advantageous position) consisted 
of three thousand two hundred men, and the dispo- 
sition of his army was skillfully made. The British 
army on this occasion was about two thousand rank 
and file. Gen. Greene, after the battle of Guilford, 
expected to be again attacked ; but the situation 
of Cornwallis was more desperate than Greene had 
expected. Cornwallis had proclaimed a victory, but, 
like some of the victories that Pyrrhus won over the 
Romans, another such victory would have ruined him. 
Two of their best officers were killed in this engage- 
ment. Tiie proclamation of victory was made to in- 
duce loyal subjects to declare themselves ; but the field 
of Guilford, yielded by the Americans, was barren of 
the fruits of conquest. When Greene discovered that 



94 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

Cornwallis had gone on his -long march, he saw the 
impossibility of attacking him successt'ully at Wil- 
mington, on account of the British naval force at that 
place. Greene then adopted the bold resolution of 
carrying the war into South Carolina, wisely suppos- 
ing that such a step would either compel Lord Corn- 
wallis to follow him or sacrifice all the posts held by the 
British in the upper parts of South Carolina and 
Georgia. If the army of Cornwallis followed him, 
it would liberate North Carolina, and enable her to 
raise ^her quota of troops, or otherwise it would re- 
store the upper parts of South Carolina and Georgia, 
and the possessions of the British in the South 
would be reduced to the seaports of Charleston and 
Savannah. Lord Cornwallis had left Lord Rawdon 
in South Carolina. For the firm establishment of the 
British power in the South, a line of posts had been 
continued from Charleston, by the way of Camden and 
Ninety-Six, to Augusta, in Georgia. The most im- 
portant point of the line was Camden. These posts 
were slightly fortified, as no formidable enemy was 
expected. Sumpter and Marion, who respectively 
commanded a corps of mounted militia, kept up a 
spirit of resistance in the northwest and northeast. 
Their celerity of movement protected them in a great 
measure from the pursuit of Rawdon, who had been 
unable to form a body of cavalry. Such was the con- 
dition of the country when Greene formed the bold 
and seemingly impracticable resolution of re-annexing 
it to the American Union. Greene's effective Conti- 
nental infantry amounted at this time to fifteen hun- 
dred men. To this number the legion of Major Harry 
Lee and the cavalry of Lieuto Col. Washington 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 95 

amounted to not quite three hundred men. But such 
men as Lee and Col. Washington were almost equiv- 
alent to a host. The extensive line of posts kept up 
by Lord Rawdon presented to Greene, as he thought, 
some vulnerable points. Li order to make an imme- 
diate impression on these places, he re-enforced the 
legion, with a company of infantry, and detached Lee 
to join Gen. Marion. At the same time Gen. Pickens 
was requested to assemble the western militia and lay 
siege to Ninety-Six and Augusta, while Greene en- 
camped before Camden, about half a mile from the 
British works. Greene found Rawdon fully prepared 
for him at Camden, and soon after retreated toHobkirk's 
Hill, where a severe engagement took place. In this 
encounter victory at one time seemed to perch upon 
the American standard. Col. Washington had turned 
the right flank, charged them in the rear, and the ar- 
tillery were playing vigorously on the front. Col. 
Washington had taken from the rear two hundred 
prisoners, when one of those incidents occurred against 
which military prudence can make no provision. The 
First Maryland regiment, which had so distinguished 
itself at Guilford, and which had gained, with the as- 
sistance of Col. Washington's cavalry, the battle of Cow- 
pens, was thrown into disorder, which involved other 
regiments, and thus the victory was lost. Augusta 
capitulated to the American legion, on the 5th of 
June, 1781. The prisoners were three hundred in 
number. With the hope that this spectacle might in- 
timidate the garrison of Ninety-Six, the prisoners 
were marched in full view of the British works, in 
being conducted to the main army. Ninety-Six was 
never taken by assault. Many valuable lives were 



96 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

lost in attempting to take it. It was afterward evacu- 
ated. " The continued e?i;ertions of the whole South- 
ern army," says Marshall, " were highly meritorious, 
but the successful activity of one cor^s must attract 
particular attention'." The legion^ from its structure, 
was peculiarly adapted to the partisan warfare of the 
Southern States, and, by being detached against the 
weaker posts of the enemy, liad opportunities for dis- 
playing with advantage all the energy and talent it 
possessed. Ln that extensive sweep which this corps 
made from the Santee to Augusta, which employed 
from the 15th of April, 1781, to the 5th of June, act- 
ing in conjunction first with Marion, afterward with 
Pickens, sometimes alone, it had constituted the prin- 
cipal force which carried five British posts, and made 
more than eleven hundred prisoners. We have said 
that this army displayed great courage ; their general, 
too, had manifested firmness, enterprise, and prudence. 
Though defeated in two battles and repulsed with 
slaughter in an attempt to storm Ninety-Six, this army 
had always kept the field, and soon limited the British 
power in the South to the sea-coast, and to the country be- 
tween the Santee, Congaree, and Edisto. The inhabit- 
ants of the country felt all the miseries which are in- 
flicted by w^ar. Being almost equally divided between 
the two contending parties, reciprocal injuries sharp- 
ened their resentments against each otiier, until neigh- 
bor was armed aijainst neio-hbor. The commanders of 
the British forces, atler overrunning Georgia and 
South Carolina, seem to have considered those states 
as re-annexed to the British empire, and determined 
to treat those as 7'cbels who had once submitted and 
had again taken up arms against them. The execu- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 97 

tion of Col. Haynes took place on the 3d of August, 
while Lord Rawdon was in Charleston preparing to 
sail for Europe. The Americans were at this time in 
possession of the greater part of that country. The 
execution of Col. Haynes was taken up by Greene, 
and had nearly produced a system of retaliation. 
The British officers are said to have executed several 
of the partisans of the Revolution, who had fallen into 
their hands. Such was the exasperation produced 
by these things, that, when Fort Granby surrendered, 
the militia attached to the legion manifested so strong 
a disposition to kill the prisoners who were natives of 
the country, but had made themselves very obnoxious 
to the patriots, that it called forth a solemn declara- 
tion from Gen. Greene that he would put any man to 
death who would be guilty of so atrocious an act. 
Gen. Greene did all that he could to discourage this 
exterminating spirit. He was too humane, as well as 
too judicious, to encourage such a spirit. He saw in 
it the destruction of the whole country, and sought to 
appease it by restraining the excesses of those who 
were attached to the American cause. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

Ah ! few shall part where many meet; 
The snow shall be their winding-sheet, 
And every turf beneath their feet 
Shall be a soldier's sepulchre. 

The battle of Eutaw Springs was fought on the 8th 
of September, 1781, a short time before the -surrender 



98 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

at Yorktown, but those engaged in this fiercely fought 
battle dreamed not that the end was near. Lord 
Rawdon had gone to Europe, and Lieut. Col. Stuart 
held his place. "Never did men," said Gen. Greene, in 
giving an- account of the battle of Eutaw Springs to 
Congress, " offer their blood more willingly in the ser- 
vice of their country." All the best captains under the 
command of Greene were present at Eutaw. Marion 
and Pickens, Sumner of North Carolina, Lieut. Col. 
Campbell of Virginia, and Major Lee, with his legion, 
from {he same state. The state troops of South 
Carolina were commanded by Henderson. The cavalry 
of Col. Washington and the infantry of Kirkwood 
were all there, to do their part on this bloody day. 
For a short time during the course of this battle, the 
hostile ranks became intermingled and the officers 
fought hand to hand. In this fearful moment, Lee, 
who had turned the left flank, charged them in the 
rear. So fierce a struggle could not long be main- 
tained. The British line was broken and driven oft' 
the field. Early in the action, Henderson, who com- 
manded the state troops of South Carolina, was dis- 
abled, and his place was taken by Lieut. Col. Hamp- 
ton. At a critical time of the battle, the British gen- 
eral ordered Major Sheridan, with a detachment of 
New Yorkers, to take post in a brick house standing 
in the rear of the ground on his right, while others 
placed themselves in a picketed garden. ' With bas- 
tions like these, great loss of life must accrue to those 
who would drive them out. Col. Washington was 
wounded and taken prisoner. With unyielding 
firmness, the American troops sought to dislodge the 
Bridsh ; but as the gallantry of the defense w'as equal 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 99 

to that of the attack, their utmost efforts were unsuc- 
cessful. The loss on both sides bore a large propor- 
tion to the numbers engaged. The American dead 
amounted to one hundred and thirty-seven men, and 
their killed, wounded, and missing to five hundred and 
fifty-five. Among these were sixty commissioned offi- 
cers. Their general said, this loss is more griev- 
ous on account of their value than their numbers. 
Among the slain was Campbell, whose bold and de- 
cisive charge with a Virginia brigade had broken the 
British line. The loss of the British army was stated 
by themselves at six hundred and ninety-three men, 
only eight3'-five of whom were killed. If this state- 
ment be correct, the American dead greatly exceeded 
that of the adversar}^ This is probable, as the carnage 
of the Americans, in attempting to dislodge the Brit- 
ish from the house and garden, was very great. As 
usual, each party estimated the loss of their foes as 
greater than their own. Each party claimed the vic- 
tory. The claim of victory was not unequivocal to 
either. Gen. Greene's pretensions are supported by 
the fact, that he drove the British army from the 
ground on which it was originally drawn up, having 
pursued them into a house, which he attacked, and 
having afterward drawn . oft' liis army without being 
pursued. Lieut. Col. Stuart's pretensions are founded 
on the fact of his having rallied his broken troops and 
brought them back into the action, after which his ad- 
versary gave up the bloody contest and withdrew 
from the field. The fortunes of the da}^ were obvi- 
ously nearl}'- balanced. The thanks of Congress were 
voted to every corps in the army, and a resolution was 
passed for '* presenting to Major-Gen. Greene, as an 



lOO MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

honorable testimony of his merit, a British standard 
and a cfold medal emblematic of the battle and the 
victory.^'' In less than a month, Cornwallis marched 
from Wilmington, North Carolina, to Petersburg. 
Having been re-enforced by nearl}^ two thousand men 
from Sir Henry Clinton's army, he determined to 
pursue La Fayette, who was now in Virginia in com- 
mand of a small force. This gallant nobleman skill- 
fully eluded pursuit, frequently, however, harassing 
the outposts of the British. Gen. Washington had at 
one time entertained the idea of retaking the city of 
New York. This plan was suggested to his mind 
while Clinton's army was in the South. With an 
army of ten thousand men, he had proceeded nearly 
toKingsbridge, when the sudden return of Sir Henry 
Clinton disappointed him. He at once relinquished 
the attempt. Sir Henry Clinton, fortunately for the 
American cause, supposed that almost every move- 
ment of Washington was to this end. Clinton bent 
all his energies to the defense of New York, appre- 
hending an attack from the combined forces of France 
and America. Washington, fully understanding the 
apprehensions of the British general, determined, if 
possible, to confirm him in them. He therefore wrote 
letters to some of his officers, declaring that the only 
way to save Virginia (the coasts of Virginia were at 
this time attacked by Arnold) was to attack New 
York. These letters were intercepted by the British, 
as had been intended. Washington, attended by some 
of his officers, reconnoitered the island of New York 
on both sides, from the opposite shore. This tended 
still further to confirm Clinton in his error. Marshall 
does not mention the deceptive letters said to have 

J W.I 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. lOI 

been written by the commander-in-chief, but says, 
that early in August, seeing his inability to carry out 
his favorite object, /'.<?., the taking of New York, he 
changed his plan. He had before this time intimated 
to La Fayette that his plan might be directed to 
Southern operations. He now gave him fuller in- 
formation, requesting him to make such a disposition 
of his army as to prevent Lord Corn wal lis from es- 
caping to Charleston. Marshall says, as it was of 
the utmost importance to conceal from Sir Henry 
Clinton this change of plan, the arrangements were 
made secretly. The Count De Grasse had sailed 
from Brest early in March. He had had an indecisive 
engagement with Sir Samuel Hood in the West Indies, 
who had been detached to intercept him. After some 
further operations and a junction with other French 
ships on the West India station, he directed his course 
to the Chesapeake with twenty-eight sail of the line 
and several frigates, where he arrived late in August. 
At Cape Henry, De Grasse found an officer with full 
intelligence of the situation of the armies in Virginia. 
Lord Cornwallis, having received information that a 
French fleet would soon appear on the coast, had col- 
lected his whole force at Yorktown and at Gloucester 
Point, where he fortified himself. 

The Marquis de La Fayette had taken a position 
on James river, for the purpose of preventing the es- 
cape of Cornwallis to Charleston. If my young 
friends will look at the map, they will understand how 
easily Cornwallis could, under ordinary circumstances, 
have taken to his ships, and sailed away to the harbor 
of Charleston, over which the British flag proudly 
waved. But insurmountable obstructions now hedired 



I02 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

up his way. Four ships of the line lay at the mouth 
of the York ; frigates were passing up the James, to 
convey French land forces to make a junction with 
La Fayette, These had been detached from the fleet 
that lay just within the capes. De Barras also was 
there with his squadron from Newport, laden with 
heavy artillery and military stores, proper for carry- 
ing on a siege. When Washington set out for Vir- 
ginia, with the combined forces, on the 19th of August, 
1781, Clinton believed it to be a feint. It would seem 
to have been a providential blindness. A power su- 
perior to either Washington or Clinton had con- 
trived the plan that led to the surrender of Cornwallis, 
and the consequent independence of America. Dis- 
patches had been sent by Sir George Rodney to Ad- 
miral Graves, that the French fleet was destined for 
the Chesapeake. These dispatches were intercepted. 
Sir Samuel Hood was sent over to rejoin Admiral 
Graves in the Chesapeake. Not finding the admiral in 
those waters, he immediately set sail lor New York. 
Cornwallis vainly expected succor from Sir Henry 
Clinton. It became now^ too late to render direct as- 
sistance ; therefore, Arnold, now a brigadier-general 
in the British army, was sent to ravage Connecticut. 
New London was taken and burned, and the garrison 
of Fort Griswold, after making a heroic defense, were 
put to the sword. The British colonel, incensed at the 
slaughter of his troops, turned the sword yielded to 
him by Col. Ledyard, the gallant commander of the 
fort, against its noble defenders. 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. IO3 

CHAPTER XXII. 

Like leviathans afloat, 
Lay their bulwarks on the brine, 

While the sign of battle flew 
Along the lofty line. 

As they drifted on their path, 

There was silence, deep as death. 

And the boldest held their breath 
For a time. 

Nothing now could divert Washington's attention 
from the siege before him. His soul was filled with 
the sublime hope that the end of the war was near, and 
with this consummation, the glorious boon of National 
Independence. A proposition made at this time by 
Count DeGrasse somewhat alarmed him. The count 
thought it probable that the commander of the British 
fleet, anxious to relieve Cornwallis, might come and 
attack him in the bay. His expectation was strength- 
ened by hearing of an accession to the English fleet, 
under Admiral Digby. De Grasse proposed, there- 
fore, that he might go into the open sea to pursue, in 
advance, the British fleet. Washington, by im- 
portunit}^ and arguments, prevailed with him to re- 
main at the mouth of the bay. Themistocles of old 
was not more urgent in detaining the Greek navy at 
the bay of Salamis, than was our great captain in 
keeping the Frenchman at his appointed station. A 
battery was erected on Point Comfort, which com- 
manded the mouth of the Chesapeake. York is a 
small town on the south side of York river. On this 
majestic river, a ship of the line can ride in safet}'-. 
On the opposite shore to York was Gloucester Point. 
The batteries of Cornwallis protected these posts, 



I04 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

also some ships of war which lay under his 
guns. Tarleton commanded Gloucester Point. 
He was watched by detachments of French and 
Americans under the command of De Choise. Corn- 
wallis withdrew to his inner lines. Two parallels 
were made by the Americans — one on the 6th of 
October, and one on the nth. Two British redoubts 
annoyed our men, as they worked in the trenches. 
Washiilgton resolved to take them. The attack of 
one of these was given to the French, headed by 
La Fa3'ette. Col. Hamilton and Laurens, with a de- 
tachment of Americans, attacked the other. They 
were both taken. Cornwallis, seeing his desperate 
condition, determined to try to make his escape by 
crossing the river. Arrangements for crossing were 
made with great secrecy, but a violent storm of wind 
arose, which drove the boats down the river. They 
were forced to return. He had intended leaving his 
sick and baggage behind and crossing over with his 
effectives to the Gloucester shore to attack De Choise, 
and force his way, if possible, through Maryland, 
Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and effect a junction in 
New York. We have seen that these vain expecta- 
tions were entirely frustrated by a storm. On the 19th 
of October, 1781, Cornwallis submitted to a necessity 
no longer to be avoided. He surrendered the posts of 
Yorktovvn and Gloucester Point, with the garrisons 
which had defended them, and the shipping in the 
harbor with their seamen, to the land and naval offi- 
cers of America and France. The army, with the ar- 
tillery, arms and accoutrements, military chest, and 
public stores, were surrendered to Gen. Washington; 
the ships and seamen to Count De Grasse. The total 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 105 

amount of prisoners, excluding seamen, rather ex- 
ceeded seven thousand men. The loss sustained by 
the garrison during the siege amounted to five hun- 
dred and fifty-two men, including six officers. The 
soldiers, accompanied by a due proportion of officers, 
were to remain in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsyl- 
vania. The officers not required for this service were 
permitted to go on parole to Europe. Lord Corn- 
wallis earnestly sought for permission for his Euro- 
pean troops to return to their respective countries. 
On this subject we subjoin two letters : 

York in Virginia, i^tJi October, 1781. 
Sir : — I have this moment been honored with your 
excellency's letter. The time limited for sending my 
answer will not admit of enteringr into the details of 
articles, but the basis of my proposals will be that the 
garrisons of York and Gloucester shall be prisoners 
of war, with the customary honors, and for the con- 
venience of the individuals which I have the honor to 
command, that the British shall be sent to Britain and 
the Germans to Germany, under engagements not to 
serve against France, America, or their allies until 
released or regularly exchanged ; that all arms and 
public stores shall be delivered up to you, but that the 
usual indulgence of side-arms to officers and of re- 
taining private property shall be granted to officers 
and soldiers ; and the interests of individuals in civil 
capacities, and connected with us, shall be attended to. 
I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient and 
humble servant, 

CORNWALLIS. 
His Excellency, Gen. Washington. 



I06 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

My Lord : — To avoid unnecessary discussions and 
delays, I shall at once, in answer to your lordship's let- 
ter, declare the general basis upon which a definitive 
treaty of capitulation must take place. The garrison 
of York and Gloucester, including the seamen, as you 
propose, will be received as prisoners of war. The 
condition annexed, of s ending the British and German 
troops to the parts of Europe ,to which they respect- 
ively belong, is inadmissible. Instead of this, they 
will be marched to such parts of this country as can 
most conveniently provide for their subsistence, and 
the benevolent treatment of prisoners, which is invari- 
ably observed by the Americans, will be extended to 
them. The same honors will be granted to the army 
surrendering as were granted to the garrison of 
Charleston. The shipping and boats in the two har- 
bors, with all their guns, stores, tackling, furniture, 
and apparel, shall be delivered in their present slate 
to an officer of the navy appointed to receive them. 
The artiller}', arms, accoutrements, military chest, 
public stores, shall be delivered iinim-paired to the 
heads of department to which they belong. The 
officers will be indulged in retaining their side- 
arms. The officers and soldiers may keep their bag- 
gage and etfects with this reserve^ that property taken 
in the country will be reclaimed. In regard to those 
in civil capacities, which your lordship wishes may 
be attended to, until they are more particularly de- 
scribed, nothing definitive can be settled. The sick 
and wounded will be supplied by their own hospital 
stores and attended by British surgeons particularly 
charged with the care of them. Your lordship will 
be pleased to signify your acceptance or your rejection 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I07 

of the proposals now offered in the course of two 
liours from the delivery of this letter, that commis- 
sioners may be appointed to digest the articles of ca- 
pitulation, or a renewal of hostilities may take place. 
I have the honor to be, my lord, etc., 

GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
Lieut. Gen. Earl Cornwallis. 

The whole army merited a high degree of appro- 
bation, bwt the artillerists and engineers chiefly dis- 
tinguished themselves. Du Portail and Knox were 
made major-generals, and Gorivion and Rochfontaine, 
of the corps of engineers, were advanced a grade by 
brevet. Gens. Lincoln, De La Fayette, and Baron 
Steuben were particularly mentioned by the com- 
mander-in-chief in the orders issued the day after the 
capitulation. Gov. Nelson, of Virginia (whose resi- 
dence was at Yorktown), and who remained in the 
field during the whole siege, was sjwken of by Wash- 
ington in terms of peculiar warmth. Gen. Nelson 
exerted his energies, not only in leading a large body 
of militia, but in using freely his substance to pur- 
chase supplies for the army. It is related by Irving, 
that when Nelson was consulted as to where the firing 
should begin in York, that he pointed to his own 
house upon the hill as a good point of attack, its in- 
habitants having been previously' removed. The 
highest acknowledgments were made to Rochambeau. 
The allied army, to which that of Cornwallis sur- 
rendered, is estimated at sixteen thousand men. The 
French were estimated by Rochambeau at seven thou- 
sand, the Continental army five thousand five hundred, 
and the militia thirty-five hundred. When Cornwallis, 



I08 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

in his letter to Washington, spoke of the interests of 
" certain persons in a civil capacity," he meant those 
Americans who had joined the British army. This 
article was rejected, as we have seen from Washing- 
ton's letter ; but when the Bonetta sloop of war was 
sent to New York by Cornwallis, to Sir Henry Clin- 
ton, containing dispatches, it was permitted to go un- 
searched, and on board this vessel were those Ameri- 
cans who were most obnoxious to their countrymen. 
Congress determined to go in solemn procession to 
the Dutch Lutheran Church, to return thanks to Al- 
mighty God for crowning the allied arms with success, 
by the surrender of the whole British army under 
Cornwallis. The 13th of December was appointed 
as a day of thanksgiving and prayer. The pen of 
Mr. Jefferson had five years before written the Dec- 
laration of Independence and sent it forth to the world, 
but the establishment of the principles therein con- 
tained laid many a hero prostrate in the dust, and 
heaved the breasts of patriots with many agonizing 
throes. Washington stood erect amid these storms — 

" Like some tall rock, that lifts its head on high, 
Swells from the vale and midway leaves the sky. 
Tho' round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, 
Eternal sunshine settles on its head." 

Great was the joy throughout the country produced 
b}^ the surrender! It was not, of course, yet known 
that the war might not be continued, yet many thought, 
as it really proved to be, that the surrender at York- 
town would be the last act of offensive warfare be- 
tween England and the United States. The 
Revolution was accomplished. The American 
eagle soared aloft. The flag of the United States 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. IO9 

floated over " the land of the free and the home of 
the brave." The states were then but thirteen. These 
were Atlantic states. Now there are thirty-seven, ex- 
tending from one ocean to the other, and circling 
around the great Southern gulf. What feelings of 
sublimity must have swelled the soul of Washington 
as he stood before York on the 19th of October. For 
six years the might}' struggle had been waged under 
all the disadvantages that undisciplined troops, inex- 
perienced officers, and an empty treasury could impose. 
How strange to human foresight that the British gen- 
eral should have sat down with his little army in a 
place where he could be so easily surrounded. The 
day of the surrender, Sir Henry Clinton left New 
York with a large army and twenty-five ships of the 
line to assist Cornwallis. In our day, you know, such 
misapprehensions and such delays could not occur. 
It is true, that in a time of war telegraph lines may be 
cut, and railroads partially destroyed, but such inter- 
ruptions would be comparatively short. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Ye are brothers ! ye are men ! 
And we conquer but to save. 
So peace, instead of death, let us bring; 
But yield, proud foe, thy power. 

After the surrender of Cornwallis, public opinion 
in England became so decided against a further pros- 
ecution of hostilities, that negotiations were entered 
upon for the establishment of peace. In the House 
of Commons, 22d of February, 1782, Gen. Conway 



no MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

moved that addresses be presented to his majesty, im- 
ploring him to listen to the advice of his faithful Com- 
mons, that the war in America should be no longer 
prosecuted. This motion was at first negatived, but 
a short time afterward Mr. Fox and his party suc- 
ceeded in placing before the king an address praying 
for a discontinuance of the war. The king returned 
a favorable answer. During the war, Lord North 
was the premier or the first minister of state. During 
this time, Fox, Pitt, and Burke, three of the greatest 
narnes that adorn English annals, were members of 
Parliament. In 1782, on the 30th of November, a 
preliminary treaty was signed at Paris by commission- 
ers. The commissioners of the United States were 
John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and 
Henr}^ Laurens. In this treaty, Great Britain ac- 
knowledged the independence of the United States. 
The boundaries were fixed by the lakes on the north 
and the Mississippi on the west. Florida was re- 
turned to Spain, but was destined in due time to be- 
come one of the United States. The army was dis- 
banded on the 3d of November, 1783. On the 25th 
of November, New York, which had been so long 
held by the British, was evacuated. Charleston, in 
South Carolina, had been given up on the 14th of 
December, 1782. In May, 1782, Sir Guy Carleton had 
succeeded to Sir Henry Clinton, in the command of all 
the British forces in the United States. From the arrival 
of Carleton at New York, the conduct of the British 
armies was regulated by a conciliatory spirit. Peace 
was declared in 1783. In December (the 4th) an af- 
fecting interview took place between Washington and 
his officers. His military career was now on the point 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. Ill 

of terminating, and, before divesting himself of the 
supreme command, he desired to bid adieu to his 
comrades in arms. Gen. Washington, accompanied 
by Gov. Clinton, made, a public entry into the city. 
At noon, the principal officers of the army assembled 
at the chief pubHc house (Frances' tavern) of the 
city. Soon after, their beloved commander entered 
the room. His emotions were too strong to be 
concealed. He turned to them and said, with a heart 
full of love and gratitude : "I now take leave of you. 
I devoutly wish that your latter days may be as pros- 
perous and happy as your former days have been 
glorious and honorable. I can not come to each of 
you, to take leave, but shall be obliged to you if each 
one of you will come and take me by the hand." 
Gen. Knox, being nearest, turned first toward him. 
Incapable of utterance, Washington grasped Knox 
by the hand and embraced him. In the same affec- 
tionate manner, he took leave of every succeeding 
officer. In every eye was the tear of dignified sensi- 
bility. Not a word was uttered to interrupt the 
majestic silence and tenderness of the scene. Leav- 
ing the room, he passed through the corps of light in- 
fantry and walked to White Hall, where a barge was 
in waiting to convey him to Paulus Hook. The 
whole company followed in mute and solemn pro- 
cession, with dejected countenances, testifying feel- 
ings of pleasing melancholy which no language can 
describe. Having entered the barge, he turned to 
the company, and, waving Jiis hat, he bade them a 
silent adieu. They paid him the same affectionate 
compliment, and, after the barge was gone, they re- 
turned to the same place, in the same solemn manner 



112 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

where they had assembled. Sometimes great men 
inspire affection in others while they remain cold and 
unmoved themselves. This was not the case with 
Washington. Congress was then, 1783, in session at 
Annapolis, in Maryland, to which place Gen. Wash- 
ington repaired for the purpose of resigning into their 
hands the authority with which they had invested 
him. When he informed Congress of his desire to 
resign, he requested to know whether it would be their 
pleasure that he should offer his resignation in writing 
or at an audience. To give more dignity to the act, 
Congress resolved that it should be oU'ered at a public 
audience on the following Tuesday. When the hour 
arrived, the house was crowded with spectators. The 
legislative and executive officers of the state, several 
general officers, and the consul-general of France, 
were admitted on the floor of Congress. The repre- 
sentatives of the sovereignty of the Union remained 
seated and covered. The spectators were standing 
and uncovered. The president. Gen. Mifflin, then 
informed him that the United States, in Congress as- 
sembled, were prepared to receive his communication. 
Then followed his address to Congress : 

"Mr. President : — The great events on which my 
resignation depended having at length taken place, I 
have now the honor of oflering my sincere congratu- 
lations to Congress and of presenting myself before 
them to surrender into their hands the trust committed 
to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from 
the service of my country. Happy in the confirma- 
tion of our independence and sovereignt}', and pleased 
with the opportunity afforded the United States of be- 
coming a respectable nation, I resign with satisfaction 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. II3 

the appointment I received with diffidence — a diffi- 
dence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, 
which, however, was superseded by a confidence in 
the rectitude of our cause, the support of the supreme 
power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven. 
The successful termination of the war has verified the 
most sanguine expectations, and my gratitude for the 
interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have 
received from my countrymen, increases with every 
review of the momentous contest. While I repeat 
my obligations to the army in general, I shall do in- 
justice to my own feelings not to acknowledge in this 
place the peculiar services and distinguished merits of 
the gentlemen who have been attached to my person 
during the war. It was impossible that the clioice of 
confidential officers to compose my family, could have 
been more fortunate. Perm.it me, sir, to recommend, 
in particular, those who have continued with me in 
the service to the present hour as worthy of the 
favorable notice and patronage of Congress. I con- 
sider it an indispensable duty to close this last act of 
my official life, by commending the interests of our 
dearest countr}^ to the protection of Almighty God, 
and those who have the superintendence of them to 
His holy keeping. Having now finished the work as- 
signed me, I retire from the great theater of action, 
and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august 
body, under whose orders I have so long acted, I 
here offer my commission and take my leave of all 
the employments of public life." 

After advancing to the chair and delivering his com- 
mission to the president, he returned to his place and 



114 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

received standings the following answer of Congress, 
which was delivered by the president : 

" Sir : — The United States, in Congress assembled, 
receive, with emotions too affecting for utterance, the 
solemn resignation of the authorities under which 
you have led their troops with success through a peril- 
ous and doubtful war. Called upon b}'' your country 
to defend its invaded rights, you accepted the sacred 
charge before it had formed alliances, and whilst it 
was without funds or a government to support you. 
You have conducted the great military contest with 
wisdom and fortitude, invariablv regardinor the riijhts 
of the civil power through all disasters and changes. 
You have, by the love and confidence of your fellow- 
citizens,* enabled them to display their martial genius, 
and transmit their fame to posterity. You have per- 
severed until these United States, aided by a mag- 
nanimous king and nation, have been enabled, under 
a just Providence, to close the war in freedom, safety, 
and independence, on which happy event we sincerely 
join you in congratulations. Having defended the 
standard of liberty in this New World, having taugiit 
a lesson useful to those who inflict and to those who feel 
oppression, you retire from the great theater of action 
with the blessings of your fellow-citizens ; but the 
glory of your virtues will not terminate with your mil- 
itary command : it will continue to animate remotest 
ages. We feel, with you, our obligations to the 
army in general, and will particularly charge our- 
selves with the interests of those confidential officers 
who have attended your person to this affecting 
moment. We join you in commending the inter- 
ests of our dearest country to the protection of Al- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. II5 

mighty God, beseeching Him to dispose tlie hearts 
and minds of its citizens, to improve the opportunity 
afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable 
nation. And for you, we address to Him our earnest 
prayers, that a hfe so beloved may be fostered with 
all His care ; that your days may be as happy as they 
have been illustrious, and that He will finally give you 
that reward which this world can not give." 

"This scene beir::^ closed — a scene rendered pecu- 
liarly interesting b}^ the personages who appeared in it, 
and by the great events it recalled to the memor}^ and 
by the circumstances under which it was displayed — the 
American chief withdrew from the hall of Congress, 
leaving on the minds of the silent and admiring specta- 
tors a deep and solemn impression." Having laid 
down his military character, Washington retired to 
Mount Vernon. He returned with much delight to 
the duties and enjo3'ments of private life. Gen. 
Washington, during his military career, had some 
enemies and detractors. A few troubled and design- 
ing spirits concerted an intrigue of some importance, 
which reached even unto Congress.. The object of 
the cabal seems to have been to give Gen. Gates the 
chief command. This conspiracy seems to have arisen 
soon after the surrender of Burgoyne, and during the 
terrible winter at Valley Forge. But so deep-seated 
was the public esteem of Washington, so warmly was 
he supported by his friends, so intense was the feeling 
of the army, that he triumphed without an effort in 
his own defense. The chief tool of the cabal against 
the commander-in-chief was Gen. Conway, who re- 
signed from the army and gave vent to violent lan- 
guage. Gen. Cadwallader resented his vituperative 



Il6 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

expressions. A duel was the consequence, in which 
Conway was severely wounded. Supposing himself 
to be at the point of death, he wrote the following let- 
ter to Washinoton : 

"Sir : — I find myself" just able to hold m}^ pen during 
a few minutes to express my sincere grief for having 
done or said anything disagreeable to your excellency. 
My career will soon be over ; therefore, justice and 
truth prompt me to declare my sentiments. You are, 
in my eyes, a great and good man. May you long 
enjoy the esteem of those states whose liberties you 
have assisted by your virtues. 

"THOMAS CONWAY." 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

In every government, though terrors reign, 
Though tyrant kings or tyrant laws restrain. 
How small, of all that human hearts endure. 
That part which laws or kings can cause or cure ! 
Still, to ourselves in every place consigned. 
Our oivn felicity zvc make or find ; 
With secret course, which no loud storms annoy, 
Glides the smooth current of domestic joy. 

The day after Wasliington left Annapolis, he has- 
tened to his hoiiie, at Mount Vernon. He reached it 
on Christmas eve, well prepared to enjoy the sacred 
festival and happy season. Mrs. Washington, who 
had presided with quiet dignity at headquarters, and 
who had cheered the wintry gloom at Valley Forge, 
was now free from the distracting anxieties of war, 
from which she had so long suffered, and now grace- 
fully dispensed the hospitalities of her happy home. 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. II7 

"The scene is at last closed," said he, in a letter to Gov- 
Clinton, of New York. " I feel myself eased of a 
load of public care. I hope to spend the remainder 
of my days in cultivating the affections of good men 
and in the practice of the domestic virtues." To Gen. 
Knox, he said : " I feel as a wear}' traveler must do, 
after treading many a weary step with a heavy burden 
on his shoulders, who is eased of his load, and, after 
arriving at a haven of rest, retraces with an eager eye 
the meanders by which he escaped the quicksands and 
mires which lay in his way, and out of which none 
but the all-powerful Guide and Disposer of human 
events could have delivered him." To La Fayette, he 
said : "I am retiring within myself, and shall be able to 
view the solitary walk and tread the paths of private 
life with heartfelt satisfaction. Envious of none, I am 
determined to be pleased with all. And this, my dear 
friend, being the orde?' of my march, I will move 
gently down the stream of life until I sleep with my 
fathers." Meanwhile, the supreme council of Penn- 
sylvania instructed their delegates in Congress to pro- 
vide some national reward for his services, foreseeing 
that popular love and curiosity would attract crowds 
of visitors to Mount Vernon, and thus increase greatly 
his household expenses. Before acting upon these 
instructions, the delegates sent a copy of their instruc- 
tions to Washington. He graciously and respectfully 
declined all such intervention, maintaining the satis- 
faction of having served his countrv at the sacrifice 
of his private interests. Through all his military ca- 
reer he never ceased to be an ajiriculturist. He was 
now doing in person what he had previously done 
through the superintendence of others. On the 17th 



Il8 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

of August, 1784, Washington set out with the friend 
of his youth, Dr. Craik, to visit his lands on the Ohio 
and Kanawha rivers. It was a soldier-like tour, with 
tent, pack-horses, and frugal supplies. He traveled 
six hundred and eighty miles, through the un- 
settled regions of the Alleghanies, until he came 
out into the Shenandoah valley near Staunton. This 
tour is mentioned to prove his continued vigor and 
activity. He also traveled with Gov. Clinton to the 
northern forts. During his western tour, Washing- 
ton had carefully observed the course and character 
of the streams flowing from the west into the Ohio. For 
many years he had been convinced of the practica- 
bility of an easy communication between the Potomac 
and James rivers and the waters of the Ohio, and 
thence on to the great chain of lakes, and of the ad- 
vantaffes that would result to the States of Virginia 
and Maryland. One object of his recent tour was 
to make observations on this subject. It was impor- 
tant to the interests of Virginia that she should at once 
take active measures if she would secure to herself a 
share of the western trade. The use of the Mississippi 
to the western traders had almost been entirel}' barred 
by the jealousy of the Spaniards, but a time was 
coming wlien they would change their policy and in- 
vite trade in that direction. So much was Washing- 
ton interested in the subject of internal navigation, 
that he laid the subject before the governor of the 
state, Benjamin Harrison, and proceeded to Rich- 
mond, while the state legislature was in session, to in- 
terest that body in this subject, and also to give his 
personal support to the measure. A committee of 
five members, headed by Patrick Henr}^, waited upon 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. II9 

him. "The suggestions of Washington, in his letter 
to the governor, and his representations during his visit 
to Richmond," says Mr. Irving, " gave ihe Jirsi im- 
pulse to the s^'stem of internal improvements since 
pursued throughout the United States." Through his 
exertions two companies were formed, under the pat- 
ronage of the government of Virginia and Mary- 
land, for opening the navigation of the Potomac and 
James rivers. He was appointed president of both 
companies. By a unanimous vote of the assembly 
of Virginia, fifty shares in the Potomac and one hun- 
dred in the James river company were bestowed upon 
Washington. The aggregate amount of these shares 
was about forty thousand dollars. He declined to re- 
ceive the proffered shares for his own benefit, but re- 
ceived them in trust, to be applied to the use of some 
institution of a public nature. Washington College, 
Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia, was en- 
dowed with the profits arising from these shares. At 
the opening of the year 1785, the entries in his diary 
show him diligently employed in preparations to im- 
prove his grass and shrubberies. " In February, he 
transplants ivy under the walls of the garden, to which 
it 5/f/7/ clings. The holly-berries, which he then 
sowed in drills, are still flourishing about this place in 
full vigor." 



I20 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

" 1*0 mute and to material things 
New life revolving summer brings ; 
The genial call dead nature hears, 
And in her glory reappears. 
But, O ! my country's (Virginia) wintry state, 
What second spring shall renovate? 
What powerful call shall bid ari^ 
The buried warlike and the wise?" 

A DIAGRAM of the plan in which he laid out his 
grounds still remains among his papers. The places 
are marked on it for particular trees and shrubs. 
Some of these shrubs are still to be found in the places 
assigned to them. He corresponded with the cel- 
ebrated Arthur Young on the subject of husbandry 
and gardening, and obtained from him seeds of vari- 
ous kinds. He was an early riser. Much of his 
correspondence was dispatched before breakfast. He 
had a private secretary. The children of Parke 
Custis formed a part of his household. Miss Custis, 
in recallin<x the scenes of her childhood, said: " I 
have often made him laugh most heartih^ from sym- 
pathy with me, but he was a silent, thoughtful man. 
He spoke little, generally; never of himself." In No- 
vember, 1784, La Fa3'ette spent two weeks with him 
^t Moimt Vernon. When his visit was ended, Wash- 
ington accompanied him to Annapolis. On returning 
home, he wrote a farewell letter to the marquis : " In 
the moment of our separation, upon the road as I 
traveled, and every hour since, I have felt all that 
love, respect, and attachment for you which length 
of years, close connection, and your merits have in- 
spired me. I asked myself, as oi.ir carriages sepa- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 121 



rated, whether that was the last si^ht I should have of 
you, and though I wished to answer no, m}' fears 
answered yes. I called to mind the days of my 
3^outh, and found they had long since fled, to return 
no more. 1 felt that I was now descending the hill I had 
been fifty-two years in climbing, and though blessed 
with. a good constitution, I was of a short-lived fam- 
il}^ and" might soon expect to be entombed in the 
mansion of my fathers." 

Though Washington, as we have said, was deeply 
interested in the care and ornamentation of his es- 
tates, happy in the societ}^ of his admirable wife, at- 
tentive to the education of her grandchildren — who re- 
ceived daih' instruction from a graduate of Harvard 
University — the host of many cultivated and refined 
friends, both native and foreign, yet he looked out 
from his sylvan retreat with an intense solicitude upon 
public affairs. Very anxious was he to know, 
whether the thirteen states, under the present organi- 
zation, could form a sufficiently efficient general gov- 
ernment. This confederation had met the public ex- 
igencies when external danger pressed upon them, 
when a foe was at their gates ; but now, discontented 
spirits were rising in rebellion in at least two of the 
states, which required the strong arm of power to put 
them down. Troublesome insurrections had arisen, 
both in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. " What, 
gracious God, is man," writes Washington. " It was 
but the other day that we were shedding our blood to 
obtain the constitutions under which we now live — 
constitutions of our own choice and making — and now 
we are unsheathing our swords to overturn them." In 
a letter to the former president of the Massachusetts 



122 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

Provincial Congress, he writes : " The confederation 
appears to me to be little more than a shadow without 
the substance, and Congress a nugatory body, their 
ordinances being little attended to. To me it is a 
solecism in politics; indeed, it is one of the most ex- 
traordinary things that we should confederate as a 
nation, and yet be afraid to give the rulers of that 
nation (who are creatures of our own making, ap- 
pointed for a limited duration, and who are amien- 
able for every action and may be recalled at any mo- 
ment, and are subject to all the evils which they may 
be instrumental in producing) sufficient powers to order 
and direct the affairs of the same. By such polic}' as 
this, the wheels of government are clojjged, and the 
bright and high expectation which was enter- 
tained of us by the wondering world, is turned into 
astonishment, and from the high ground on which we 
stood, we are descending into the vale of confusion 
and darkness." From 1778 to 1787, the United States 
existed under " the articles of confederation." It 
was now deemed necessary to constitute a stronger 
government. Accordingly, a convention of delegates 
from all the states was called to meet at Philadelphia, 
for the purpose of revising the Federal system and 
correcting its defects. The proceedings of this conven- 
tion were to be reported to Congress and to the several 
legislatures for approval and confirmation. Washing- 
ton was unanimously put at the head of the Virginia 
delegation. After determining to serve in the con- 
vention, he went into a course of reading on the 
history and principles of ancient and modern confed- 
eracies. The convention met on the 25th of May. The 
proceedings of this memorable conveniotn occupied 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 123 

from four to seven hours each da}'', for four months. 
Washington was president of this convention. In 
writing to La Fa3^ette, after the close of the conven- 
tion, Washington said : " It seems to me little short of 
a miracle, that the delegates from so many states, 
different from each other, as you know, in their man- 
ners, circumstances, and prejudices, should unite in 
forming a system of national government so little lia- 
ble to well-founded objections. Nor am I such an 
enthusiastic, partial, or indiscriminating admirer of it, 
as not to perceive it is tinctured with some real, though 
not radical defects. With regard to the two great 
points, the pivots upon which the whole machine 
must move, my creed is simply, first, that the general 
government- is not invested with more powers than 
are indispensably necessary to perform the functions 
of a good government, and, consequently, that no ob- 
jection ought to be made against the quantity of power 
delegated to it." The constitution was sent to Con- 
gress, and then transmitted to the state legislatures, 
each of which submitted it to a state convention, com- 
posed of delegates chosen by the people. The ratifi- 
cation of nine states was necessary to make the in- 
strument effective. During the interval of awaiting 
the ratification, Washington resumed his retired life 
at Mount Vernon. Washington's feelings, when he 
heard of the acceptance of the constitution, were ex- 
pressed in a religious and solemn thankfulness for the 
protection of Heaven, which had been so manifest in 
all the vicissitudes through which his country had 
passed. Great, indeed, must have been his satisfac- 
tion to feel that the country for which he had sac- 



124 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

rificed and suffered so much, was about to be estab- 
lished on a stable and sure foundation. 

Mr. Jefferson, the great apostle of Democracy, was 
in France when the constitution was adopted. Al- 
though he aflmired it as a whole, he particularly ob- 
jected to the re-eligibility of the president. He feared, 
as he wrote to Washington, it would make it an office 
for \\iQ., first, and then hereditary. Gen. Washington 
so peremptorily refused re-election, after two terms, 
that his example impressed the public mind with al- 
most the force of a law. We presume it would not now 
be practicable for any one to be elected beyond two 
terms, whatever might be their qualifications or serv- 
ices. But the wisdom of Mr. Jefferson's objection to the 
re-eligibility beyond one term (though perhaps the 
term might with safety be made longer) has been made 
very manifest. As soon as the testimonials of ratifi- 
cation from a sufficient number of states were received, 
Congress passed an act appointing tlie first Wednes- 
day in January, 1789, for the people of the United 
States to choose electors of a president, according to 
the constitution, and the first Wednesday in the month 
of February following for the electors to meet and 
make a choice. The meeting of the government was 
to be on the first Wednesday in March, in the city of 
New York. The election took place at the appointed 
time, and it was soon ascertained that Washington 
was chosen president for the term of tour years. On 
the 14th of April, the president of Congress duly noti- 
fied him that he was elected President of the United 
States. No man ever rose to a pinnacle of power by 
a straighter path. In conducting his nation to inde- 
pendence, he had shown the self-devotion of a hero. 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 1 25 

Now, to govern them aright required the wisdom of a 
sage. He was about to embark on an untried sea. 
Two political parties now began to be prominent — 
Federalists and Republicans. While the Republicans 
generally approved all the articles of the Federal 
constitution, they were very jealous of any real or 
supposed infraction of the rights of the states. They 
regarded the thirteen states as distinct sovereignties, 
but united under one federal head, by the consent of 
the people of the several states. All powers not dis- 
tinctly ceded to the general government they considered 
as rights reserved to the states. The Federalists were 
more solicitous to make the general government strong 
than the states independent. All entered, however, 
into a solemn compact to preserve and maintain the 
Federal constitution. Gen. Washington was called 
a Federalist, though he was never a strong partisan y 
i. e., he was never willing to risk or sacrifice the 
peace of the country to the interests of party. In se- 
lecting his first cabinet, two of his secretaries were 
Republicans and two were Federalists. Mr. Jeffer- 
son, the great leader of the Republican party, was 
given the first place in the Cabinet. He was made 
secretary of state, immediately after his arrival from 
France. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

Tke C/«/o«—" Distinct, as the billows, but one, as the sea." 

Washington's journey to New York, where he 
was to be inaugurated in the presidential office, was a 
triumph. The ringing of bells, the roaring of cannon, 
proclaimed his course through the country. Old and 



126 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

young, women and children, thron^jed the highways, 
to bless and welcome him. The parting with his per- 
sonal friends and neighbors, at Alexandria, was 
touching and affectionate. Washington had hoped to 
be spared all military parade, but it could not be 
avoided. Gen. Mifflin, his old companion in arms, 
met him on the frontiers of Pennsylvania. At Tren- 
ton, a triumphal arch was erected over the Assunpink, 
which flows through Trenton. How vividly the dark, 
cold night of the 25th of December must have been 
brought to his mind, when he crossed the Delaware, full 
of floating ice behind him, and the camp-fires of Corn- 
wallis in front of him ; but now " the winter of discon- 
tent was changed to glorious summer." Washington, 
in his reply to an address of the mayor of Philadelphia, 
said : " When I contemplate the interposition of Prov- 
idence, as it was visibly manifested in guiding us 
through the Revolution, in preparing us for the recep- 
tion of the general government, and in conciliating 
the good-will of the people of America toward one 
another, after its adoption, I feel myself oppressed 
and almost overwhelmed with a sense of Divine good- 
ness. I feel that nothing is due to my personal 
agency in all the wonderful and complicated everilts, ex- 
cept what can be attributed to an honest zeal for the 
good of my country." "The motion of the boat" 
(writes Washington, as he approached New York), 
" the flags of the shipping, the strains of music, the 
roar of cannon, the acclamations of the people, filled 
my mind, as I passed, with emotions as painful as 
they were pleasurable ; for I thought on the scenes that 
might occur, on a future day, of an opposite character, 
in spite of all my efforts to do good." Nearly a 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 127 

century and a half before this time, Oliver Cromwell, 
on a similar occasion, was followed and preceded by 
crowds. " What crowds ! What acclamations !" said 
his flatterers. "There would be more to see me hunsf," 
replied Cromwell. "Cromwell had too deeply read the 
human heart not to be suspicious of popular applause. 
Washington knew that the people loved /ii'm, and that 
their enthusiasm was genuine. His nature was sunny 
and cheerful, and fully sympathized in the joy of the 
people. His painful feelings arose from a sense of 
the difflculties of the situation to which he had been 
elevated, and its tremendous responsibilities. The in- 
auguration was delayed a few days, on account of a 
question as to the form or title by which the president 
should be addressed. It was finally resolved that the 
title should be simply " the President of the United 
States." The 30th of April, 1789, was the day of the 
inauguration. At nine o'clock on this day, there 
were religious services in all the churches to implore 
the blessing of Heaven on the new government. 

Washington was in a coach of state ; his aide-de-camp, 
Col. Humphreys, and his private secretary, Mr. Lear, 
in his own carriage ; the foreign ministers and a long 
train t)f citizens followed. Tl|e vice-president, John 
Adams, the Senate, and House of Representatives 
were already in their places. As Washington en- 
.tered the hall, John Adams advanced and conducted 
him to a chair of state at the upper end of the hall. 
A solemn silence prevailed when the vice-president 
arose and informed him that the moment had arrived 
to take the oath of office required by the constitution. 
The oath was administered by the chancellor of the 
State of New York, in the balcony in front of the 



128 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

Senate chamber, and in full view of an immense rnul- 
litude occupying the street, windows, and roofs of the 
adjacent houses. In the center of the balcon}- was a 
table with a covering of crimson velvet, upon which 
lay a Bible on a velvet cushion. 'The chancellor ad- 
ministered the oath, and Mr. Olis, the secretary of 
the Senate, held up tke Bible. The oath was read 
slowly and distinctly, Washington 'at the same time 
laying his hand upon the open Bible. " I swear — 
so help me God !" Mr. Otis would have raised the 
Bible, but Washington bowed down reverently and 
kissed it. Washington was clad upon this occasion in 
a full suit of dark-brown American cloth, with a steel- 
hilted dress-sword, white silk stockings, and silver shoe- 
buckles. His hair was dressed and powdered in the 
fashion of the day. Washington returned to the 
Senate chamber, where he delivered his inaugural 
address to both houses of Congress. Alter this, he 
proceeded with the whole assemblage, on foot, to St. 
Paul's church, where prayers suited to the occasion 
were read by Dr. Prevost, bishop of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church of New York, who was one of the 
chaplains of Congress. Washington entered upon 
the presidential office with much anxiety. The de- 
partments under the new government were not yet 
orsfanized. He could turn with confidence for counsel 
to Mr. John Jay, who still remained at the head of af-r 
fairs, where he had been placed in 1784. He had a 
ready S3'mpathizer in Knox, his old comrade, who 
continued to officiate as secretary of war. The af- 
fairs of the treasury were managed by a board, con- 
sisting of Livingston, Osgood, and Arthur Lee. To 
Alexander Hamilton, Washington often had recourse, 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 1 29 

in the difficult and intricate problems in government 
that would be presented. It was a great satisfaction 
to Washington to consult James Madison, who was 
one of the members of Congress. Mr. Madison had 
been with him in the convention ; he had written many 
luminous and able essays in " The Federalist " (a 
collection of state papers written by Madison, Hamil- 
ton, and Jay), and his talents as a speaker, exten- 
sive information, and legislative experience destined 
him to be a leader in the house. Only three states 
had unanimously voted for the constitution. Two 
states still hesitated. These were Rhode Island and 
North Carolina. 

As we have already hinted, some feared that the 
new government would prove too weak to preserve 
order and prevent civil strife ; others, the Republicans, 
(afterward called Democrats), that it would be too 
strong for the independence of the states, and 
would tend toward consolidation or centralization and 
despotism. This conflict of opinion produced much 
irritation, and partisans on both sides were often 
acrimonious and unjust to each other. The country 
over which Washington was called upon to govern, 
was ten times larger than any previous republic. It 
presented to the Atlantic a front of fifteen hundred 
miles. Beyond the Alleghanies were territories of 
immense extent — the asylum of roving Indians and 
discontented white men. The Mississippi, the great 
outlet to the products of the West, had not as yet free 
navigation. Spain opposed a barrier. The hardy 
yeomanry of the West believed that Congress ought 
to remove this barrier, and were indignant at the ap- 
parent indifference of that body. It was said that 



130 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

British emissaries were fomenting the Western discon- 
tents, and offering them their assistance to seize upon 
the cit}' of New Orleans, and fortify the mouth of the 
Mississippi ; while others represented that the Spanish 
authorities were intriguing to effect a separation of 
the Western territory from the Union, with a view of 
attaching it to the dominion of Spain. Great Britain 
still held some western posts, the surrender of which 
had been stipulated by treaty. The plea for retain- 
ing these posts was, debts due to British subjects re- 
mained unpaid, for which, by the same treaty, the 
United States were bound. These posts were re- 
tained by the British in order to secure the monopoly 
of the fur trade. Marauding corsairs from Algiers, 
Tunis, and Tripoli had seized American merchant 
vessels and carried their crews into slavery. " No 
treaty having yet been made with any of the Barbary 
States, except Morocco, I walk, as it were," said 
Washington, " upon untrodden ground. I feel the need 
of the countenance and aid of every friend to myself, 
of every friend to the Revolution, and of every lover 
of good government." It was not until the loth of 
September, after the inauguration of the president, 
that a cabinet was duly organized. At this time, a 
department of foreign affairs (afterward termed a 
department of state) was instituted, a treasury de- 
partment, and a department of war. As it was a 
time of great financial exigency, the post of secretary 
of the treasury was of paramount importance. Al- 
exander Hamilton was appointed secretar}' of the 
treasury, and his nomination was confirmed by the 
Senate on the same day that it was made. Gen. Knox 
was made secretary of war. Mr. Jefferson, who had 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I3I 

acted for some years as minister to the court of 
France, had recently asked and obtained permission 
to return liome. Washington wrote to Jefferson, of- 
fering him the post of secretary of state, but forbear- 
ing to nominate a successor to his place at the court 
of Versailles until he should be informed of his deter- 
mination. With regard to the re-eligibility of the pres- 
ident, Jefferson's objections seem to have been quieted 
by the elevation of Washington. " Since the thing 
(re-eligibility) has been established," he writes, " I 
would wish it not to be altered during the lifetime of 
our great leader, whose executive talents are superior 
to those, I believe, of an}' man in the world, and who 
alone, by the authority of his name and the confidence 
reposed in his perfect integrity, is so fully qualified to 
put the new government under way as to secure it 
against the efforts of opposition. I hope we will cor- 
rect our error the ver}' moment we can no longer 
have the same man at the helm." At this time, 
Jefferson was deeply interested and immersed in 
French politics. He was so much excited by this in- 
terest, the desire that other peoples should enjoy the 
blessings of a free government, he seemed to forget, 
in his enthusiasm, that liberty without virtue will 
degenerate into licentiousness. " Liberty is a means 
and not an end in attaining happiness, and when 
taken in too large draughts, it first intoxicates, then 
maddens, then destroys." Jefferson accepted the post 
of secretary of state. Now arose questions of form 
and ceremony. In all these minor matters Washing- 
ton consulted those around him — Adams, Hamilton, 
Jay, Madison, and Jefferson. Adams had been min- 
ister to England before he was elected to the vice- 



132 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

presidency. " The glare of royalty and nobility during 
this mission had made him believe their fascination a 
necessary ingredient in government." Hamilton 
thought a high tone ought to be avoided, lest it shock 
the prevalent notions of equality. The arrival of 
Mrs. Washington seems to have regulated these mat- 
ters. On the day after her arrival, Washington gave 
a dinner, of which we have an account from the pen 
of Mr. Wingate, a senator from New Hampshire. 
" The guests consisted of the vice-president, the for- 
eign ministers, the heads of departments, the speaker 
of the House of Representatives, and the senators' 
from New Hampshire and Georgia, then the most 
Northern and most Southern states. It was the least 
showy dinner that I ever saw at the president's table. 
As there was no chaplain present, the president him- 
self said a short grace before we sat down. After 
dinner and dessert were finished, one glass of wine 
was passed around. The president rose, and all the 
company retired to the drawing-room, from which the 
guests departed as every one chose, without ceremon}^" 
On Friday evenings, Mrs. Washington held levees 
from eight to ten o'clock, to which the families of all 
respectable persons, native or foreign, were invited. 
The sanctit}^ and quiet of Sunday were strict!}' ob- 
served by Washington. He attended church in the 
morning and passed the afternoon alone in his closet. 
No visitors were admitted, except some intimate friend 
in'the evening, which was spent in the bosom of his 
family. At levees and drawing-rooms, it is said, that 
the manner of Washington was cold and distant. 
Those who knew him best, said this distant reserved 
manner proceeded from the novelty of his position 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I33 

and his innate diffidence. Mrs. Washington received 
her guests with the ease and good breeding of one 
who had been accustomed to preside over a hospitable 
mansion in Virginia. The societ}' in and around 
Alexandria was very cultivated and refined. George 
William Fairfax, whose home had been the resort of 
Washington's youth, remained in England during the 
war. The hand of Fairfax had been open to relieve the 
distresses of Americans, and he kept up a cordial cor- 
respondence with Washington. Members of this family 
still reside in that vicinity. "Old Lord Fairfax, of Green- 
way Court, lived on," says Mr. Irving, " in his syl- 
van retreat on the Shenandoah, until he had attained 
his ninety-second year, when tidings of the surrender 
of Yorktown so wounded the national pride of the 
old cavalier as to snap the attenuated cord of his ex- 
istence." We still quote from Mr. Irving : "Much has 
been said of Washington's equipages when at New 
York, and of his having (our and sometimes six horses 
betbre his carriage, with servants and outriders dressed 
in livery. Such st3'le was usual at the time both in 
England and the colonies. It was still prevalent 
among the wealthy planters of the South and the 
" merchant princes" of the North. It does not ap- 
pear that Washington ever indulged in such display 
through ostentation. When he repaired to the hall of 
Congress on the day of inauguration, he was drawn 
by a single pair of horses in a chariot which had been 
presented for the occasion. Besides this modest equi- 
page, there was a heavy family carnage, to which four 
horses were- sometimes attached — once, on a state oc- 
casion, six horses were attached to it. It is said that 
he owned, w^hile in New York, four white horses of 



134 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

great beauty. Washington's love of horses amounted 
to a passion. His favorite exercise was on horseback. 
He was one of the best horsemen of his day," 



CHAPTER XXVn. 

"With more than mortal powers endowed, 
How high they soared above the crowd. 
Theirs was no common party race, 
Jostling by dark intrigue for place. 
Beneath each banner, proud to stand, 
Looked up the noblest ot the land." 

The arrangement of the judicial department was 
one of Washington's earliest cares. Edmund Ran- 
dolph, of Virginia, was nominated as attorney-general. 
He had been governor of Virginia and was a mem- 
ber of the convention of ly^V- ^t is said he had been 
at first dissatisfied with some of the provisions of the 
constitution and refused to sign it, but afterward sup- 
ported it in the state convention of his native state. 
The supreme court of the United States was to be com- 
posed of a chief justice and five associate judges. John 
Jay, of New York, received the appointment of chief 
justice. John Rutledge, of South Carolina ; Wilson, of 
Pennsylvania ; Cushing, of Massachusetts ; John Blair, 
of Virginia, and Iredtll, of North Carolina, were the 
associate judges. Two questions — the assumption of 
the state debts and the final settlement where the cap- 
ital of the Federal government should be placed — 
greatly agitated Congress. The former subject — the 
assumption of the debts — produced much discord in 
the early part of the session. 

At the close of the war, the debt amounted to forty- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I35 

two millions of dollars, but increased by arrears of 
interest to fifty-four millions. About twelve millions 
of this money was due abroad. The debt at home 
was due to individuals who had risked their lives in 
the sacred cause, and to others, for affording supplies 
for the sustenance and maintenance of the army. 
Besides the foreign and domestic debts, the states were 
individually involved. More than one-half of the 
debts of the states was due from Massachusetts, Vir" 
ginia, and South Carolina. The secretary of the 
treasury, Mr. Hamilton, was requested to digest or 
prepare a plan for the settlement of these claims. 
Mr. Hamilton urged the assumption of the debts, 
state as well as federal, by the general government. 
This it was that created so much excitement. The 
Democrats (or Republicans, as they were then 
called) greatly opposed this measure, fearing that it 
would give too much power to the central government ; 
that it would unite the states financially, as well as 
politically, and tend to consolidation. The Northern 
and Eastern States were generally in favor of this 
measure, but Virginia opposed it. The measure 
passed by a vote of thirty-nine to twenty-six. The 
funding of the state debts was supposed to benefit 
especially the Northern States. South Carolina, how- 
ever, voted for the assumption. Washington had lit- 
tle sympathy with these sectional jealousies. "Un- 
easy lies the head that wears a crown," said the great 
dramatist. In an eight years' war, Washington, as we 
have seen, suffered all the troubles that are incident to 
war and an unequal strite, but he was sustained 
throughout by an unfaltering trust in the God of bat- 
tles and in the justice of his cause. Now, he was a 



136 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

civil ruler, unanimously chosen by a people who loved 
and honored and trusted him. This confidence of his 
countrymen did not remove his difficulties. The ship 
of state was launched on an unknown sea. Would not 
storms* arise? Were there not rocks and quicksands to 
be avoided? He was at the helm, with a steady eye 
and determined purpose, but a republican govern- 
ment was an experiment. Would it abide safel}'^ amid 
differing interests and the rude shocks of the ambitious 
and designing? The wild fury of the French revo- 
lution reached these shores and disturbed, for a time, 
the equanimity of our people, exciting their feelings 
and dividing their opinions. A minister, Mr. Genet, 
sent here by the French Republic, behaved so indis- 
creetly that it was proposed to send him back to his own 
country. Happily his own government recalled him. 
Washington was greatly disturbed by the political dif- 
ferences of the secretary of the treasury and the sec- 
retary of state. The Federalists looked upon Mr. 
Hamilton as a model exemplar, and the Democrats 
(or Republicans) regarded Mr. Jefferson with un- 
swerving reverence and devotion. These intellectual 
Titans shook the nation with their jarring discord. 
Washington was a friend of both, and constantly acted 
as a moderator in his cabinet. Jefferson suspected 
Hamilton's principles. He believed them to be those 
of a monarchist, and feared that he would use his in- 
fluence to centralize and consolidate the power of the 
general government. Posterity has done justice to 
both. " How peaceful and how powerful is the grave." 
The state papers of Hamilton and Jefferson remain as 
enduring monuments of their patriotism, their wis- 
dom, and their foresight. While the great men at the 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I37 

capital were discussing the important questions of the 
" assumption of the debt," a national bank, the 
situation of the capital, and the residence of the 
president, the Indians of the Miami and Wabash were 
making cruel depredations on the possessions of the 
white men. We can scarcely believe that eighty years 
ago the horrid yell and war-whoop of the Indians 
were heard in the immediate vicinity of " Fort Wash- 
ington," now the extensive and beautiful city of 
Cincinnati. In 1790, an expedition under Gen. 
Harmer, consisting of several hundred men, was 
sent against the Miamis. The expedition ended 
disastrously. Another expedition was sent afterward, 
under the command of. Gen. St. Clair, who was the 
governor of the territory west of the Ohio. This ex- 
pedition also ended in disgrace and failure. The 
Indians of the Wabash and Miami were not deficient 
in disc'pline ; they were well-armed, numerous, and 
warlike, so that Indian warfare at that time was far 
more hazardous than it is at present* among the In- 
dians of the Far West. Augustus was not more 
grieved at the loss of the legions of Varus, than was 
Washington when he heard of the defeat of St. Clair 
and the loss of his brave men. When Washington 
received the dispatches in relation to St. Clair's surprise 
and defeat, it is said he yielded to a transport of pas- 
sion and grief. " It is all over !" he exclaimed, when 
alone with his secretary. " St. Clair's defeated — 
routed; the officers nearly all killed, the men by 
wholesale. I warned him to beware of a surprise ! 
He left me with the warning in his ears — ' Beware of 

* These lines were written some months before the Modoc war. 



138 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

a surprise !' And yet, to suffer that army to be cut to 
pieces — hacked, butchered, tomahawked ! Oh, God ! 
Oh, God !" exclaimed he, throwing up his hands, 
while his whole frame shook with emotion. "He's 
worse than a murderer ; the blood of the slain is upon 
him-^-the curse of widows and orphans — the curse of 
Heaven !" In this disastrous battle, the loss of regular 
troops and levies amounted to five hundred and filty 
killed and two hundred wounded. The whole loss, 
including commissioned and non-commissioned offi- 
cers, was nearly seven hundred men. When Wash- 
ington recovered his equanimity, he said : " Gen. St. 
Clair shall have justice. I will receive him without dis- 
pleasure : I will hear him without prejudice. He shall 
have justice." A committee of the House of Representa- 
tives ultimately inquired into the cause of the failure of 
this expedition, and rendered a report which explicitly 
exculpated him. His adjutant-general, in his private 
diary, testified to the coolness and bravery of St. 
Clair, though debilitated b}' illness. Public sentiment, 
however, for a long time remained adverse to him ; 
but Washington, satisfied with the explanations given, 
honored him with his confidence and friendship. 
This beautiful West, like every other part of our now 
highly favored land, has been purchased with hard- 
ship, privation, blood, and treasure. 

The struggles of the pioneers of the West, being so 
much nearer our own times, seem to impress us more 
strongly. Early in 1792, Gouverneur Morris had re- 
ceived the appointment of minister plenipotentiary at 
the French court. His diplomatic correspondence kept 
our government informed of the terrible excesses of 
the French revolution. Mr. Jefferson was very im- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 1 39 

patient at first of the gloomy pictures drawn by 
Morris. He had looked with a deeply interested and 
sanguine eye on the revolutionary movements in 
France. He was unwilling at lirst to believe the 
statements of Morris, and ascribed his impressions to 
a want of sympathy with the cause of human free- 
dom. But Mr. Jefferson was shortly afterward 
grieved to acknowledge the madness of the French 
Jacobins. Washington mourned deeply over the ad- 
verse fortunes of La Fayette, who, in vainly trjang to 
check the excesses of his people, completely lost his 
authority. La Fayette was denounced by the Na- 
tional Assembly, and an order issued for his arrest. 
La Fayette, being apprised of this, left his army at 
Sedan, intending to seek an asylum either in Holland 
or the United States. He was, however, detained at 
Rochefort, an Austrian post. He was subsequently 
a prisoner at Olmutz. When Washington received 
the intelligence of the capture of La Fayette, he im- 
mediately wrote to the Marchioness La Fayette, ex- 
pressing deep concern and sympathy, and informed 
her that he had placed in the hands of Mr. Van Stap- 
herst, of x\msterdam, two hundred guineas, subject to her 
order. Washington, hearing that Madame La Fayette 
was in want, delicately sought to make his donation 
assume the form of the repayment of a debt. Mad- 
ame La Fayette was at that time a prisoner in Paris, 
awaiting the fate which had, in one day, smitten her 
grandmother, mother, and sister. She happily es- 
caped the guillotine by the fall of Robespierre. 
George Washington La Fayette, her son, just of the 
age for conscription, made his escape to the United 
States, through the friendly aid of two American gen- 



140 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

tlemen. He found a warm welcome at Mount Ver- 
non, where he lived for three years. He returned to 
France on the liberation of his father. Washington 
addressed a letter to the Emperor of Germany, in be- 
half of the marquis, but received no answer. His 
release was peremptorily demanded by Napoleon I., 
in the conferences which preceded the treaty of Campo 
Formio. He was set at liberty, on the 22d of Sep- 
tember, 1797. During the residence of young La 
Fayette at Mount Vernon, Louis Philippe, with his 
brother, was also there. 



CHAPTER XXVHL 

" Still achieving, still pursuing." 

After a long and painful conflict of feelings, 
Washington consented to be a candidate for re-election. 
There was no opposition on the part of the public, 
and the vote for him in the electoral college was 
unanimous. John Adams was re-elected to the vice- 
presidency, by a majority of twenty-seven electoral 
votes, over George Clinton, of New York. Mr. 
Adams had said, during the first presidential term, 
that it had been the pleasure of his countrymen to 
endow him with the meanest office in the gift of the 
government (meaning the vice-presidency), but he re- 
ceived the office a second time. It was under some- 
what gloomy auspices that Washington entered upon 
his second term. There was a reign of terror in 
France. Louis XVL was beheaded. This tragical 
event was deplored by many of "the truest advocates 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I4I 

of liberty in America. This unfortunate monarch was 
remembered as tlie Iriend of tliis country in her rev- 
olutionary struggle, but some were so zealous in the 
cause of political reform, that the}'- did not deplore the 
death of this virtuous king (though they execrated his 
murderers), hoping it would seal the downfall of the 
French monarchy, and the establishment of a repub- 
lic. Many crimes have been committed in the name 
of liberty and religion, but no benefit can ever accrue 
to a cause through a wicked, unlawful act. Jj. called 
into exercise all the wisdom and prudence of Wash- 
ington to guard the neutralit}^ of the United States 
amid the excitements of his own people, many of 
whom strongly sympathized with France when a war 
commenced between England and France. It was en- 
dangered, not only by the intrigues of the French 
minister (to whom we have already alluded), but by 
the ill-advised measures of the British cabinet. We 
will not, however, attempt any details. One griev- 
ance, however, was, that Great Britain frequently im- 
pressed American seamen — a wrong to which they 
were exposed from national similarity. This griev- 
ance ultimately led to the war of 1S12. Early in the 
session of 1793, Mr. Jefferson furnished Congress 
with an able and elaborate report on the state of trade 
of the United States with different countries. This 
report closed his labors as secretary of state. Wash- 
ington was grieved and embarrassed when he received 
the notification from Jefferson that he- would retire 
from the cabinet. He expressed to Mr. Jefferson his 
chagrin at being deserted by those of his cabinet upon 
w4iom he iKid relied for counsel. The public mind 
was in an alarming state of ferment. Political com- 



142 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

binations were forming of various kinds. He knew 
not where it would end. Mr. Jefferson pleaded great 
repugnance to public life. He also said that the op- 
position of views between him and Hamilton was 
peculiarly unpleasant and destructive of the necessary 
harmony. The conversation was an extended one. 
In the conversation, recorded by Mr. Jefferson himself, 
can be discerned the constant effort of Washington to 
moderate the growing antipathies between die eminent 
men whose aid he sought to assist him in conducting the 
government. Jefferson remained in office a few months 
longer, and then retired to Monticello, his country- 
seat, in Albemarle county, Virginia. About this time, 
intense excitement was produced among our people in 
consequence of orders issued by Great Britain to her 
cruisers, in June, 1793. The orders required that all 
vessels laden with produce of any colony belonging to 
France, or carrying supplies to any such colony, 
should be detained and brought to British ports for 
adjudication in the British courts of admiralty. Sev- 
eral captures of American vessels were made, in con- 
sequence of these orders, which tended greatly to 
increase the irritation of the public. Resolutions were 
moved that all debts due to British subjects be seques- 
tered and paid into the treasury as a fund to indemnify 
citizens of the United States for depredations sus- 
tained from British cruisers, and that all intercourse 
with Great Britain be interdicted until she had made 
compensation for these injuries, and until she should 
surrender the western posts. "Peace or war " was 
the question. The partisans of France said it would 
be pusillanimous for Americans any longer to hold 
terms with England. Those who were in favor of 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I43 

resisting Brittish aggressions, put into their hats a tri- 
colored cockade. Democratic societies were formed 
to aid these popular sentiments. While the public 
mind was in this inflammable state, Washington re- 
ceived advices from Mr. Pinckney, the American 
minister in London, informing him that the British 
ministry had issued instructions to the commanders of 
armed vessels revoking the more obnoxious orders of 
the 6th of November, 1793. Washington laid Pinck- 
ney's letter before Congress. It had a soothing effect 
on both parties. Mr. Jefferson, the reputed head of 
the French parly, avowed, in a letter to Mr. Madison, 
his wish that war should be avoided — that by some 
means American faith and honor could be maintained 
without war. " I confess to you," said he, " that I 
have seen enough of one war never to wish to see 
another." " 'T is as great an error," writes Mr. Ham- 
ilton, about the same time, " for a nation to overrate 
itself as to underrate itself. Presumption is as great 
a fault as timidity. 'T is our error to overrate our- 
selves and underrate Great Britain. We forget how 
little we can annoy, how much we may be annoyed." 
This was doubtless good logic in 1793 ; but, in 1815, 
the power of annoyance exercised by the people of 
the United States was not inconsiderable, as was proved 
by the battle of New Orleans. Washington resolved 
to prevent a war, if possible. He was too morally 
brave to allow noisy clamor to overcome his modera- 
tion. He determined to send to the court of St. James a 
special envoy to appeal to the justice of England, and 
to represent to tha:t government the injuries we had 
sustained from it, in various ways, and urging indem- 
nification. The envoy selected was John Jay, chief 



144 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

justice of the United States. About this time, the 
French government requested the recall of Gouvern- 
eur Morris. The request was granted. James Mon- 
roe was appointed in his place. Mr. Monroe arrived 
at Paris at a moment of reaction. The reign of terror 
Was over. Robespierre had fallen. The new minis- 
ter was received in public by the convention. The 
sentiments expressed by Monroe were so completely 
in unison with the feelings of the moment, that the 
president of the convention embraced him wath 
emotion, and it was decreed that the American and 
French flags should be entwined and hung up in the 
hall of the convention. Monroe presented the 
American flag to the convention on the part of his 
country. Washington, meanwhile, was becoming 
painfully aware that censorious tongues and pens were 
ready to cavil at every measure. " The affairs of 
this country can not go wrong," writes he, ironically, 
to Morris. " There are so many watchful guardians, 
and such infallible guides, that no one is at a loss for 
a director at every turn." A short time after the date 
of this letter, an insurrection broke out in the western 
part of Pennsylvania on account of the excise law. 
After every proper effort to reconcile the insurgents 
was made, without effect, an army of formidable pro- 
portions was assembled. It was reported that an army 
of seven thousand men could be raised in the insurgent 
district. Washington, therefore, made a requisition on 
the governors of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Mary- 
land, and Virginia, for militia to compose an army 
of twelve thousand men. It was afterward augmented 
to fifteen thousand. The governors of Virginia, 
Maryland, and Pennsylvania were at the head of the 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I45 

troops of their respective states. Gov. Lee, of Vir- 
ginia, w^as commander-in-chief. In a letter to Gov. 
Lee, Washington desired him to convey to the army 
his high sense of their patriotism, their regard for the 
constitution and laws which had led them cheerfully 
to quit their homes ,and all the comforts of private life, 
to undertake and perform a fatiguing march and en- 
counter the privations of a military life. " No citi- 
zen can be engaged in a more important service. It 
is nothing less than to consolidate and preserve the 
blessings of that revolution which, at much expense 
of blood and treasure, constituted us a free and inde- 
pendent nation." His parting admonition is : " That 
every officer and soldier bear in mind that he must be 
a supporter of the laws, and not an infringer of them ; 
that the essential principles of a free government con- 
fine the -province of the military to two objects : first, 
to combat and subdue all found tn arms; secondly, 
to support the civil magistrate in bringing offenders 
to justice. The dispensation of this justice belongs 
to the civil magistrates ; and let it ever be our -pride 
and glory to leave the sacred deposit there inviolate." 
The great military army under Gen. Lee extinguished 
at once the kindling elements of a civil war. At the 
approach of this force, the insurgents laid down tiieir 
arms. They extolled the clemency of the govern- 
ment, which was extended to them. When Wash- 
ington, in his speech on the opening of Congress, 
November 19, 1794, announced the suppression of the 
insurrection in Pennsylvania, he had also the pleas- 
ure of giving favorable intelligence of the campaign 
of Gen. Wayne against the hostile Indians west of 



146 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

the Ohio.* August 8, 1794. — " We remained," says 
Gen. Wayne, " three days and nights on the banks of 
the Miami, during which time all the houses and corn 
were consumed, or otherwise destro3'ed, for some dis- 
tance above and below Fort Miami, and we were 
within pistol-shot of the garrison of that place, who 
were compelled to remain quiet spectators of the gen- 
eral devastation and conflagration." Wayne's army 
had been strengthened by eleven hundred Kentuck- 
ians. His force exceeded that of the savage warriors. 
In his official address to Congress, Washington had 
urged the adoption of some plan for the redemption 
of the public debt. A plan was reported by Mr. 
Hamilton, January 20, 1795, which he had digested 
and prepared on the basis of the actual revenues, for 
the further support of public credit. Mr. Hamilton 
now retired from his laborious post. He had long 
thought of retiring, as his pay was inadequate to 
the support of his family. He had postponed it on 
account of accusations brought against him in the 
second Congress, and of which he awaited the in- 
vestigation. Mr. Hamilton retired from the cabinet 
on the last day of January, 1795. He was succeeded 
by Mr. Oliver Wolcott. The secretary of war, Mr. 
Knox, also retired soon afterward, and was succeeded 
by Col. Timothy Pickering. We have neglected to 
mention that Mr. Edmund Randolph succeeded Mr. 
Jefferson as secretary of state. 

* Wajne gained a decisive victory at the battle of the Miamis. 
This was the last struggle of that brave, but ill-fated race, on the 
Ohio, until that of 1811, which resulted in the cession of their 
lands to the whites ybrcfer. 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I47 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

" The pillar of a people's hope, 
The center of a world's desire ; 
Yet feels as in a pensive dream, 
When all his active powers are still,' 
A distant dearness in the hill, 
A sacred sweetness in the stream." 

How sensibl}'' must Washington have felt the loss 
of two such able coadjutors as Hamilton and Jeffer- 
son, the foremost men in American annals ! Mr. 
Adams, however, as vice-president, was still near 
him, and other friends both wise and true. The suc- 
cessors, too, of the first secretaries were able men, 
but strong partisans of the Federal school. Wolcott was 
a signer ot^ the Declaration of Independence. Wash- 
ington awaited wiih anxiety the result of Mr. Jay's 
mission. He knew that he had exposed his popu- 
larit}' to imminent hazard in opening a negotiation with 
England ; but the peace and happiness of his country 
were now of more moment to him. Washington 
could scarcel}- hope for the complete success of the 
mission. At length, on the 7th of March, 1795, a 
few days afler Congress had risen, a treat}^ arrived, 
which had been signed by the two ministers of the 
two nations, and was sent out for ratification. Mr. 
Jay wrote to Washington : "To do more was im- 
possible. I ought not to conceal from you that the 
confidence reposed in your personal character was 
visible throughout the transaction." Washington im- 
mediately made the treaty a close study. Some of 
the provisions were satisfactory, others were not. 
But, believing it to be, as Mr. Jay alleged, the best 
treaty attainable, he determined to ratify it if the 



148 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

Senate should approve it. Many of the people were 
predisposed to condemn this treaty, because they were 
vexed that overtures had been made toward a nego- 
tiation. " If it had been necessar^s" said the oppos- 
ing party, " to send a minister to England, it should 
have been to make a downright demand of reparation 
for wrongs inflicted on our commerce, and the immedi- 
ate surrender of the western posts." Meanwhile, Jay 
arrived. He found that, during his absence, he had 
been elected governor of New York, his native state. 
He therefore resigned the office of chief justice of the 
United States. The twelfth article of this treaty met 
with special objections. The article provided for a 
direct trade between the United States and the British 
West India islands, in American vessels not exceed- 
ing seventy tons burden, conveying the produce of the 
States or of the islands ; but it prohibited the expor- 
tation of molasses, sugar, coffee, cocoa, or cotton, in 
American vessels, either from the United States or 
the islands, to any part of the world. This was a re- 
stricted intercourse, but Mr. Jay considered the admis- 
sion even of smaller vessels to the trade of these islands 
an important advantage. Cotton was now becoming an 
important product, and a restriction in this trade was 
considered a special grievance to the Southern people. 
The Senate was convened by Washington in June, 
1795. The, treaty of Mr. Jay was laid before it. 
The Senate sat with closed doors. Two-thirds of the 
Senate ultimately voted for its ratification, stipulating, 
however, that an article be added suspending so much 
of the twelfth article as related to the West India 
trade, and that the president be requested to open, 
without delay, further negotiations on this head. 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I49 

Meanwhile the discontent concerning the treaty was 
daily increasing. Mr. Mason, a senator from Vir- 
ginia, sent an abstract of the treaty to be published in 
a leading opposition paper. A portion of the cabinet, 
also, were opposed to the ratification. The support 
of the instrument was feeble, while the opposition to it 
was tremendous. Public meetings adverse to it were 
held in all the large cities. We can not enter into the 
details of this famous treaty : if we could fully appre- 
ciate its demerits or merits so as to give a clear exposi- 
tion of it, it would probably be devoid of interest to our 
young friends. Mr. Tucker, in his life of Jefferson, 
says: "Whether more good or evil resulted to the 
United States from the ratification, there is still room 
for a difference of opinion. To trace out the chain of 
causes and effects in a series of events which have 
actually occurred, though not always an easy task, 
may yet be within the scope of human wisdom ; but 
to perceive the concatenation on a different state of 
facts, is beyond the reach of any degree of sagacity : 
and no one can conclusively show that war would have 
been the certain consequence, or, though it had, that 
the spirit it indicated would not have prevented the 
subsequent spoliations of American commerce and the 
war of 1813. In such questions, the most we must 
look to is, whether we have defended our own rights 
without infringing the rights of others, and to approve 
or condemn the course as it has conformed to that 
rule. If tried by this test, it would not be easy to 
defend the treaty of 1794." In this unqualified con- 
demnation of the treaty, Mr. Tucker says, " It is not 
meant to cast any imputation on the zeal, talents, or 
patriotism of its distinguished negotiator." 



150 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

News now came that the order of the British govern- 
ment, of the 8th of June, 1793, for the seizure of ves- 
sels going to French ports, was renewed. Washington 
instantly directed that a strong memorial should be 
drawn up against this order, as it seemed to favor a 
construction of the treaty which he was determined to 
resist. While this memorial was in preparation, he 
was called off to Mount Vernon. The difficult and 
intricate questions pressing upon government, left 
Washington little freedom of mind to enjoy his beloved 
home. Early in August came a mysterious letter from 
Mr. Pickering, the secretary of war. The receipt 
of this enigmatical letter induced Washington to go 
immediately to Philadelphia. The matter related to 
Mr. Randolph, secretary of state. It was an em- 
barrassing affair, which ended in the resignation of 
Mr. Randolph. 

About this time the General Asseml:^ly of Maryland 
made a unanimous resolution to the following effect : 
" Observing with deep concern a series of efforts, by 
indirect insinuation or open invective, to detach from 
the first magistrate of the Union the well-earned 
confidence of his fellow citizens, they think it their 
duty to declare, and they do hereby declare, their 
unabated reliance on the integrity, judgment, and 
patriotism of the President of the United' States." 

In September, 1799, Washington published his 
famous " Farewell Address." In the preparation of his 
last address to his countrymen, he seems to have felt 
much solicitude. He well knew how much the people 
loved him, and believed that his last words, both on 
political and moral subjects, might have an abiding 
influence, not only on the generation for which he 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I5I 

wrote, but would have its influence for good on future 
ages. He wrote both to Mr. Madison and Mr. Hamil- 
ton to assist him in the arrangement of his "Address," 
but it can never be known how much or how little they 
contributed to this unrivaled and inimitable state paper. 
This address will be appended at the close of this 
volume. Alison, the historian of Europe from 1780 
to 1815, a period fraught with the most momentous 
and remarkable issues in the world's history, says of 
Washington : "The close of this year, 1797, witnessed 
the resignation of the presidency of the United Slates 
of America, by General Washington, and his volun- 
tary retirement into private life. Modern historj' has 
not so spotless a character to commemorate. Invinci- 
ble in resolution, firm in conduct, incorruptible in in- 
tegrity, he brought to the helm of a victorious republic 
the simplicity and innocence of rural life ; he was 
forced into greatness by circumstances, rather than led 
into it by inclination, and prevailed over his enemies 
rather by the wisdom of his designs and the persever- 
ance of his character, than any extraordinary genius 
for the art of war. A soldier from necessity and 
patriotism, rather than disposition, he was the first to 
recommend a return to pacific councils when the inde- 
pendence of his country was secured. He bequeathed 
to his countrymen an address, on leaving their govern- 
ment,' to which there is no composition of uninspired 
wisdom which can bear a comparison. He was 
modest without diffidence, sensible to the voice of fame 
without vanity, independent and dignified without 
either pride or asperity. He was a friend to liberty, 
but not licentiousness. He was a Cromwell without 
ambition, and a Sylla without his crimes ; and, after 



152 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

having raised his country, by his exertions, to the 
rank of an independent commonwealth, closed his 
career by a relinquishment of the power which a grate- 
ful people had bestowed." 

On the day after the inauguration of Mr. Adams, 
Washington set out for Mount Vernon, accompanied 
by Mrs. Washington, Miss Nelly Custis, and G. W. 
La Fayette, with his preceptor. Miss Custis had now 
matured into a lovely, attractive woman. The halls 
of Mount Vernon became the resort of admiring 
friends and lovers. She had been reared under the 
tender and watchful care of her grandmother, and 
educated by private teachers. She was a great 
favorite with the General, whom she often amused by 
her sprightl}' sallies, sometimes overcoming his 
habitual gravity and surprising him into hearty 
laughter. " I was young and romantic then " (referring 
to those days), said she to a lady, many years after- 
ward. "I was fond of roaming by moonlight in the 
woods around Mount Vernon. I remember once, 
after one of^ my rambles, as I entered the drawing- 
room., my grandmother, seated in her arm-chair, gave 
me a severe reprimand. The General was walking 
up and down the room, as was his wont, with his 
hands behind him. I heard the General, in a low 
voice, interceding for me : ' My dear,' said he, ' per- 
haps she was not unaccompanied.' Hearing this, I 
opened the door. ' Sir,' I said, ' you have brought 
me up to speak the truth, and when I told grandmama 
that I was alone, I hope you believed that I was alone.' 
He then made me a magnanimous bow, and said, 
'My child, I beg your pardon.'" 

We will now quote a letter of advice to his adopted 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I53 

child, with regard to her love affairs, when she was 
about to make her first appearance at a ball in George- 
town, D. C. She perhaps, to allay parental solici- 
tude, had expressed indifference with regard to the 
attention of lovers. " Do not boast," he writes, " of in- 
sensibility toward your admirers. Young people feel 
the same inclination toward each other now, that they 
have ever done. Love is said to be an involuntary 
passion. This is partly true, but like all things else, it 
may be nourished and encouraged or stifled and re- 
pressed. Although we can not avoid first impres- 
sions, we can place them under guard. When the 
fire is beginning to kindle, ask yourself questions 
something like these : Who is this invader? Is he a 
man of good character? A man of sense? Have I 
a competent knowledge of him? Be assured, a sen- 
sible woman can never be happy with a fool. Is his 
fortune sufficient to maintain me as I have been accus- 
tomed, or as my sisters do live? Am I sure that I 
have really engaged his affections? Without this, a 
heart of sensibility will struggle against a passion that 
is not reciprocated." A nephew of Washington, Mr. 
Laurence Lewis, became, about this time, a resident 
at Mt. Vernon. The influx of visitors was so great 
that it became a part of Major Lewis' duty to assist 
his uncle in paying necessary attention to the guests. 
It w^as soon evident that a strong attachment subsisted 
between Miss Custis and Mr. Lewis. A formidable 
rival appeared in the person of young Mr. Carrol of 
Carrolton, who had just returned from Europe adorned 
with the graces of foreign travel, whose suit, too, 
Mrs. Washington was said to encourage. The nup- 
tials of Miss Custis and Major Lewis were celebrated 



154 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



on the 22d of February, 1779. The newly married 
couple were settled on a part of the Mt. Vernon lands, 
which he had designated in his will to be given to 
Miss Nell}'. Washington was now at the haven of 
repose, to which his eyes had been long turned. In 
his rides in the vicinage of his home, melancholy 
thoughts would arise to sadden the landscape, as his 
mind reverted to former associations. In a letter to 
Mrs. Fairfax, then in England, he writes : "It is a 
matter of deep regret, when I cast my eyes toward 
Belvoir, that the former occupants are no longer there ; 
the ruins of your beautiful home, serve as mementoes of 
pleasure that have passed away. Washington, al- 
though winter had now set in with occasional wind and 
rain and frost, still kept up his active round of in-door 
and out-door associations, as his diary proves. He 
was in full health ; dined out occasionally ; was part 
of every day in the saddle, going the rounds of his 
estates, as he dearly loved agricultural pursuits. But 
in the retirement of his happy home, he could not re- 
press the solicitude with which he contemplated pass- 
ing events. The condition of the country at the close 
of Washinp-ton's administration seemed to be prom- 
ising. At home, a sound credit had been created ; 
the difficulties incident to a system of internal taxation 
on its first introduction, had been surmounted; the 
authority of the government was firmly established. 
The numerous tribes of Indians inhabiting the im- 
mense tracts which lie between the cultivated country 
and the Mississippi, had been taught by arms and by 
justice to respect the United States. Abroad, the 
troubles with Spain had been accommodated and the 
free navigation of the Mississippi had been acquired, 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 1 55 

with the use of New Orleans as a depot, for three 
3'^ears,* until some other equivalent place could be' des- 
ignated. Treaties had been made with the Barbary 
States. But now the growing discontents of the 
French Republic began to lower. Gen. Pinckney, 
who had been sent to France as the successor of Mr. 
Monroe, was rejected b}'' the French Directory. The 
Directory announced to Mr. Pinckney their determina- 
tion not to receive another minister from the United 
States until after a redress of grievances. Mr. Mon- 
roe had previously made known the complaint of the 
French government. A war with France soon became 
probable ! The eyes of all were directed to Gen. 
Washington as the person who should command the 
American army. Mr. McHenry, the secretary of 
war, was sent to Mt. Vernon with a commissipn 
signed b}^ President Adams, with the earnest request 
that Washington would accept the position of lieuten- 
ant-general provided France should actually declare 
war with the United Slates. Gen. Washington de- 
termined not to refuse once more to take the field, if 
circumstances rendered it necessary, provided he could 
be permitted to secure efficient aid, by naming the 
chief officers of the army, and should only be drawn 
into service in the event of actual invasion. " I can 
never," said he,"" withhold my services from my coun- 
try, when they are required. I would not remain an idle 
spectator under the plea of age or retirement. A war 
with France was surely a most undesirable thing, in- 
dependently of all the terrible concomitants of war ; 

* In 1803, Louisiana— that is, all the country between the Missis- 
sippi and the Rocky Mountains — was purchased by the United States 
for fifteen millions of dollars. 



156 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. . 

for France had but a few years before assisted us in 
gaining our independence. A war with France, there- 
fore, would have had an ungracious and ungrateful 
aspect. It is true, that the French government was 
wholly changed ; it was at that time under the control 
of an arrogant and lawless directory, who had ruth- 
lessly shed (at least when Robespierre was at the head) 
the blood of their best citizens. Rochambeau, who 
had commanded the French army under Washington, 
in our Revolution, narrowly escaped the guillotine. 
Nevertheless, it was proper that every effort should be 
made, and the cup of reconciliation drained to the last 
drop, than as an enem)'^ meet in deadly strife an army 
who had so lately battled for us. It would have been, 
doubtless, an unwilling service to a majority of the 
American people. Gen. Washington had never be- 
lieved that France would invade America, being fully 
persuaded that it was not the interest of France. In- 
direct pacific overtures were made, and a willingness 
on the part of France to accommodate existing differ- 
ences, was communicated before America was ready for 
war. The President (Mr. Adams) eagerly accepted the 
overtures, and again appointed three envoys extraor- 
dinary and ministers plenipotentiary to the French 
Republic. These ambassadors found the French gov- 
ernment in the hands of one who had no part in the 
former imbroglio. With him they entered into ami- 
cable negotiations. Gen. Washington did not live to 
witness the restoration of peace. 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I57 



CHAPTER XXX. 

How sleep the brave, who sink to rest 
Bj all their country's wishes blest? 
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, 
Returns to deck their hallowed mold, 
She there shall dress a sweeter sod 
Than fancy's feet have ever trod. 
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, 
To bless the turf that wraps their clay; 
And Freedom shall an hour repair, 
To dwell a weeping hermit there. 

He who had filled so large a place in the world's 
history and in the world's esteem, was about to be 
summoned to "the great white throne" seen by the 
Apostle in vision, where both small and great must 
stand. "The illness of Washinjjton was short and 
severe. So short was his illness, that the news of his 
death, at the seat of government, preceded the intelli- 
gence of his sickness.' On Friday, the i3tii of De- 
cember, 1799, while attending to some improvements 
upon his estate, he was exposed to a slight rain, by 
which his neck and hair became wet. Not thinking 
of danger, he passed the afternoon as usual, but during 
the night he was seized with ague, attended by pain 
in the throat, a cough, and difficult deglutition. Be-- 
lieving bleeding to be necessary, he was bled by one 
of his attendants. He would not permit a servant to 
be sent for a physician until daylight, as the weather 
was harsh. Dr. Craik, his old friend, arrived about 
II o'clock. He, perceiving at once the extreme dan- 
ger of the patient, sent for two other physi-cians. 
Speaking, which was very painful from the beginning, 
became almost impracticable. After repeated efforts 



158 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

to be understood, he begged to be permitted to die 
without interruption. To his friend, Dr. Craik, who 
held his head, he said, with difficulty : " Doctor, I die 
hard, but I am not afraid to die." He requested to be 
left alone for a short time. Prayer had been a con- 
firmed habit of his life. Mrs. Washington left not the 
chamber of the sufferer, but was seen kneeling at his 
bedside, her head resting upon her Bible, from which 
she doubdess read, as she had opportunity, consoling 
passages to her dying husband. 

His breathing became easier a few minutes before 
his death, and it is said (we suppose from the testimony 
of Mrs. Washington, \^■ho was near him during the 
whole time) that, breathing out this prayer, " Father 
of mercies, take me to Th3'self," he fell asleep. He 
said to Mr. Lear, his private secretary, " I am just 
going. Have me decentl}^ buried, and do not let my 
body be put into the vault until two days after I am 
dead." Mr. Lear bowed assent. "Do you under- 
stand me ?" said the General. Lear replied, " Yes, 
sir." " 'T is well," said he. " He withdrew his 
hand," says Mr. Lear, " and felt his own pulse. I 
spoke to Dr. Craik, who now came to the bedside. 
The General then placed his hands over his eyes, and 
expired without a struggle." It was said, and believed 
at the time, that General Washington closed his own 
eyes; and "the writer is assured that such was the 
fact, from one who had the. best opportunity of know- 
ing." This is not a fact of much importance, but 
serves to show that, although Mr. Lear's account may 
be true as far as it goes, some things escaped his 
notice. It has been a subject of remark, that there 
was no minister of Christ with him, nor any of the 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I59 

offices of the church administered in aid of his faith 
and hope. There were but a few hours of dayhght 
during his illness. It was in the depth of winter, and 
a heavy snow fell on the day of his illness and death. 
There was no clcrg'vman within a less distance than 
nine miles of Mount Vernon. The General considered 
himself to be dying during the greater part of the day. 
It is a most natural conclusions that a man who had 
been so attentive to his religious difties during a long 
life, would have desired, had it been practicable, to 
have partaken of the memorials of the dying love of 
his Redeemer, during his last hours. During all the 
time that he was in the government, he was punctual 
in his attendance on divine worship. On Sundays, 
unless the weather was uncommonly severe, the Presi- 
dent and Mrs. Washington attended divine service at 
Christ's Church, Philadelphia — Bishop White was 
then the rector — and in the evenings the President 
read to Mrs. Washington, in her sitting-room, a sermon 
on some portion of the sacred writings. After his 
retirement from the chair of state, the church in Alex- 
andria was his place of worship. The distance was 
nine miles, 3'et his pew was seldom unoccupied. In 
his earlier years he had worshiped at Pohick Church, 
a forest sanctuary of Fairfax county. He was for 
some years a vestryman of this church. Pohick 
Church was probably in a ruinous condition at the 
close of the war, as the records of this church show 
that Washington worshiped there until the commence- 
ment of the Revolutionary war. " I never knew," 
says the Rev. Lee Masse\^ who was the rector of the 
church at that time, *' a more constant attendant on 
church. His behavior in the House of God was so 



l6o MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

deeply reverential, that it produced the happiest effects 
on my congregation. I have often been at Mount 
Vernon on the Sabbath morning, when his breakfast 
table was filled with guests ; but to him they furnished 
no pretext for neglecting the worship of his God, for 
instead of staying at home, out of ialse complaisance 
to them, he always invited them to accompany him." 
The deep and wide-spreading grief occasioned by 
his de*ath, called together a great concourse of people 
for the purpose ot paying the last tribute of respect to 
the first of Americans. On Wednesday, the i8th of 
December, attended by military honors and the offices 
of religion, his body was deposited in the family, vault 
at Mount Vernon. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

Can that man be dead, 
Whose spiritual influence is upon his kind? 
He lives in glory; and his speaking dust 
Has more of life than half its breathing molds. 

WHENthe intelligence of Washington's death reached 
Philadelphia, both houses of Congress adjourned. 
The officers of government testified the greatest respect 
for his memory. The whole natio"!! was in mourning ! 
'T was not simply "the inky cloak," but genuine 
grief. John Marshall announced his death in the fol- 
lowing words : " The melancholy event announced 
' yesterday with doubt, has been rendered but too cer- 
tain. Our Washington is no more ! The hero, the 
patriot, and the sage of America — the man on whom, 
in times of danger, every eye was turned and all 
hopes were placed — lives now only in his own great 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. l6l 

actions, and in the hearts of an affectionate and afflicted 
people. If, sir, it had not been usual openly to testify 
respect for the memory of those whom Heaven has se- 
lected as its instruments for dispensing good to man, 
yet such has been the uncommon worth, and such the 
extraordinary incidents which have marked the life of 
him whose loss we deplore, that the whole American 
nation, impelled by the same feelings would call with 
one voice for a public manifestation of that sorrow 
which is so deep and so universal. More than any 
other individual, and as much as to one individual wgs 
possible, has lie contributed to found this our wide- 
spreading empire, and to give to the Western v/orld 
independence and freedom. Having effected this 
great object, for which we placed him at the head of 
our armies, we have seen him convert the sword into 
the ploughshare and sink the soldier in the citizen. 
When the debility of our federal system had become 
manifest, and the bonds which connected this vast con- 
tinent were dissolving, we have seen him the chief of 
those patriots who formed for us a constitution, which 
will, I trust, substantiate and perpetuate those bless- 
ings which our revolution had promised to bestow. In 
obedience to the general voice of his country, we have 
seen him, in order to preside over a great people, once 
more quit the retirement he loved, in a season more 
stormy and tempestuous than war itself, with calm and 
true determination pursue the true interests of the 
nation, and contribute more than any other could con- 
tribute to the establishment of that system of policy 
which will, I trust, preserve our peace, our honor, 
and our independence. However the public confi- 
dence may change and the public affections fluctuate 



l62 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

with respect to others, with respect to him they have, 
in war and in peace, in pubHc and in private life, been 
as steady as his own firm mind, and as constant as his 
own exahed virtues. Let us then, Mr. Speaker, pay 
the last tribute of respect and affection to our departed 
friend. Let the grand council of the nation display 
those sentiments which the nation feels." General 
Lee (Light-horse Harry) prepared the resolutions 
which Judge Marshall presented to the House. In 
one of these resolutions the saying occurs, then we 
believe for the first time, " First in vvar, first in peace, 
and first in the hearts of his countrymen." This ex- 
pressive apothegm has become hackneyed, and by con- 
stant repetition has lost much of its beauty and force. 
All classes and conditions bore testimony to the loved 
veneration that dwelt in their hearts for the Father of 
his Country. A little incident that occurred to the 
writer, when young, and when leaving home for the 
first time, may serve to show how abiding has been 
this love of the American people. We were ascend- 
ing the Potomac river, in one of the boats tliat ply 
weekly between Baltimore and Washington, when 
suddenly the boat paused, and a sweet strain of music 
was heard. "What does that mean," I inquired. "We 
are passing- Mt. Vernon, madam ; and this is our usual 
sahUe to the tomb of Washington." My eyes filled 
with tears as I thought of the love that still dwelt in 
the hearts of our people. Byron speaks very beauti- 
fully of the burial-place of Napoleon I. : 

"That name shall hallow the ignoble shore, 
A talisman to all, save him who bore. 
The fleets that sweep before the eastern blast 
Shall hear their sea-boys hail it from the mast." 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 1 63 

This, indeed, is fame. Yet the exercise of a mighty 
intellect uncombined with goodness, with the benevo- 
lence of the heart and with the purity of the life, can 
never produce deep feelings of love and veneration 
that will endure. If great deeds a: e performed, 
merely for self-exaltation, the idol and the idolatry 
will perish together. The national pride of the French 
exulted for a time in the "blazing reign" and won- 
derful achievements of Napoleon I., who delivered 
them from anarchy and bloody tyranny. The efful- 
gence of his brilliant track rested for a time on the 
head of his distinguished nephew, until he had at- 
tained a pinnacle of power that astonished the nations ; 
but his fall was signal. Both uncle and nephew 
crossed " the Rubicon of man's awakened rights." 

The mother of Washington lived to the great age of 
eighty-three. Her home was in Fredericksburg, Vir- 
ginia, about fifty miles from Mt. Vernon. He usually 
visited his mother twice a year when not prevented by 
public engagements. There are several of his letters 
to his mother; also letters to his sister specially in re- 
gard to his mother, breathing a most affectionate and 
filial spirit. In a Fredericksburg paper of March 12, 
1789, we find the subjoined notice of a visit of Wash- 
ington to his mother: "On Saturday evening last, 
His Excellency, Gen. Washington, arrived in town 
from Mt. Vernon. The object of his Excellency's 
visit, at this time, is to take leave of jiis aged mother, 
sister, and friends, previous to his departure for the 
new Congress, over the councils of which, the united 
voice of America has called him to preside." This 
was the last interview Washington had with his mother, 
as she died in the following August. A part of the 



164 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

mourning-dress that Washington wore in remembrance 
of his mother's death, has been preserved by his rela- 
tives. The following sentence is found in his last will 
and testament : " To my dearly beloved wife, Martha 
Washington, I give and bequeath the use, profit, and 
benefit of my whole estate, real and personal, for the 
term of her natural life, except such parts thereof as 
are specially disposed of hereafter." On the sad night 
of his dissolution, when attendants were preparing his 
body for the grave, a miniature likeness of his wife, 
was found on his breast, where it had hung suspended 
by a ribbon for more than forty 3'ears. 

It is well known that Washington had no children, 
but he considered the grandchildren of his wife as he 
did his own relations, more especially those two whom 
they had reared from their earliest infancy, — "Where- 
fore, I give and bequeath," etc. 

Against duelling, drunkenness, swearing, and gam- 
bling, Washington entered many .protests. His own 
life and manners were a rebuke to unchastity and im- 
modest}^ either in word or a'ct. From the Orderly 
Book, August 30, 1776 : " The General is sorry to be 
informed that the foolish and wicked practice of pro- 
fane swearing is growing in fashion — a vice heretofore 
little known in an American army. He hopes the 
officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor 
to check it, and that they and the men will reflect that 
we can have little hope of the blessing of Heaven on 
our arms, if we insult it by our impiety and lolly. 
Added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without any 
temptation, that every man of sense and character 
must detest and despise it." 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. , 165 

In a circular to .his brigadier-generals, dated 26th 
of May, 1777' ^^'^ t^^^ following instructions: "Let 
vice and immorality of every kind be discouraged as 
much as possible in your brigade ; and, as a chaplain 
has been appointed to each regiment, see that the men 
regularly attend divine worship. Gaming of every 
kind is expressly forbidden, as being the foundation 
of evil, and the cause of many a brave and gallant 
officer's ruin. Games of exercise, for amusement, 
must not only be permitted but encouraged." 

In a letter to his nephew, Bushrod Washington, 
who was then a student at Philadelphia, he says : 
" Remember that it is not the mere study of the law, 
but to become eminent in the profession of it, that is 
to yield honor and profit. The first was your choice; 
let the second be your ambition. Dissipation is in- 
compatible with both. The company in which you 
will improve most will be the least expensive to you, 
yet I am not such a stoic as to imagine that you will, 
or to think it right that you should, always 4o be in 
company with senators or philosophers; but of your 
juvenile associates, let me advise you to be choice. 
It is easy to make acquaintances, but not so easy 
to shake them off' when we find tliem unworthy. 
Be courteous to all, but intimate with few. True 
friendship is a plant of slow growth. Let your heart 
feel for the distresses of every one, and let your hand 
give in proportion to your purse, remembering the 
estimation of the widow's mite. All who ask are not 
worthy of charit}^ but all are worthy of the inquiry^ 
or the deserving may sufler." He then gives sound 
advice with regard to dress, and most emphalical con- 
demnation with regard to vices to which young men 



l66 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

are liable. He says of gaming, "It is the child of 
avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of 
mischief." 



CHAPTER XXXH. 

O! je who bask in Fortune's sun 
And Hope's bright garlands wear, 
Your blessings, from the God of Love, 
Let h\% poor children share! 

For those 3'oung people for whom we chiefly write, 
especially boys, who sometimes think it an evidence 
of a want of spirit to acknowledge a fault, I will re- 
count the following authentic anecdote : In the year 
1754, when Washington was about twenty-two }'ears 
of age, he was stationea in Alexandria, as colonel of 
a regiment of Virginia troops. During his stay in 
that town, an election for members of the House of 
Burgesses took place. His warm friendship for Col. 
George Fairfax, one of the candidates, brought him 
into collision with Mr. Payne, the friend of the other 
candidate, Mr. Elzey. In consequence of some of- 
fensive language, into which he was betrayed toward 
Mr. Payne, that individual struck him with a stick, 
and, so violent was the blow, that it knocked him 
down. There was great excitement among the officers 
and men because of the indignity offered to their be- 
loved commander. He forthwith emploj'ed his in- 
fluence in allaying the tumult, and "then retired to his 
lodgings. From thence he wrote a note to Payne, 
requesting him to meet him next morning, as he 
wished to see him in reference to their recent disagree- 
ment. Payne met him at the appointed place, antici- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. l6*J 

pating an unpleasant interview ; but, instead of a 
hostile meeting, Washington asked his pardon for the 
passionate and improper language he had used in an 
unguarded moment. Payne witnessed with admiration 
this triumph of principle over passion, and a friendship 
was kindled in his bosom that he did not cease to 
cherish as longf as he lived. 

Gen. Washington left a large estate. He inherited 
from his father a small property. His elder brother 
bequeathed to him Mount Vernon. He received a 
large accession of wealth from his wife. He made 
extensive purchases of unimproved land, not only in 
Virginia, but in other states. A schedule appended 
to his will of that part of his property which was to be 
sold, for distribution among his general heirs, amounts 
to about half a million dollars. General Washington 
provided that, on the death of his wife, all the slaves 
held by him in his own right should be emancipated. 
"To give them their freedom during Aer life," the will 
proceeds, " would, though earnestly desired by me, 
be attended with such difficulties, on account of their 
marriages with the dower negroes, as to excite the 
most painful sensations." For those emancipated, a 
comfortable support was provided for those unable to 
support themselves, by his heirs. Those who were 
too young to support themselves, were to be bound by 
the court till they were twentj'-five years of age. 
They were. to be taught to read and write by the mas- 
ters to whom they were bound, and brought up to some 
useful occupation. 

The will expressly forbids the sale or transportation 
of slaves out of Virginia, of whom he might die pos- 
sessed. "And I do most pointedly enjoin upon my 



l68 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

executors, to see that this clause respecting my slaves 
be religiously fulfilled, without evasion, neglect, or 
dut}^ A regular and permanent fund must be estab- 
lished for their support, so long as there are subjects 
requiring it, not trusting to the uncertain provision to 
be made b}^ individuals.'''' To the servant who had at- 
tended him during the war, immediate freedom was 
given. Food and clothes were to be supplied to him, 
and an annuity of thirty dollars. He was to have a 
home on the Mount Vernon plantation, so long as he 
would choose to remain in the situation he then occu- 
pied. The estate of Mount Vernon was bequeathed 
to his nephew, Bushrod Washington, at the death of 
his wife. This nephew was afterward one of the asso- 
ciate judges of the Supreme Court of the United States. 
Gen. Washington was, as we have seen, an owner of 
slaves. He was a just, humane, and thoughtful mas- 
ter, considerate of their comfort, welfare, and happi- 
ness. He was born to this inheritance. He was op- 
posed to slavery in the abstract. He lived at a time 
when the subject was but little agitated. This evil had 
been entailed upon the Southern colonies more than 
a century previous, against their will. The first slaves 
had been brought to Virginia, about 1620, in a Dutch 
ship. The ministry of the mother country insisted 
that the American Plantations should receive them, 
supposing that their labor would increase the revenue. 
Succeeding generations, born to this inheritance, ex- 
ercised little thought in regard to slavery. The cruel 
or neglectful, as well as the hard task-master, was al- 
ways despised by the good and refined ; but whether 
a moral wrong was involved'in the institution of slav- 
ery, was little discussed or thought of until within the 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 169 

last half centuiy. Almost all acknowledged thai 
slavery in the abstract was wrong. The most beau- 
tiful traits of character were not unfrequently exhib- 
ited, both on the part of master and dependent. The 
moral wrong of a traffic in slaves was always recog- 
nized by the conscientious people of the South, and was 
regarded with horror ; yet it seemed almost inseparable 
from the odious system. In 1808 the Southern States 
were foremost in uniting with the other states in pro- 
hibiting the African slave-trade. In 1785, Washing- 
ton said, in a letter to Mr. Morris, " I will never pos- 
sess another slave by purchase ;" and again, in the 
same year, he uses these words : " There is not a man 
living, who wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a 
plan adopted for the abolition of slavery ; but there is 
only one proper, effectual mode by which it can be 
accomplished, and that is legislative authority, and 
this, so far as my suffrage will go, shall never be 
wanting." Legislative authority did make efforts to 
adopt a system of gradual emancipation, especially in 
Virginia, in 1832. This subject was before the legis- 
lature at that time, and nearly all the best minds of 
the House were on the side of emancipation ; but 
nothing was done. The terrible evil has been re- 
moved ! But how ? By a baptism of blood ! The 
only good that proceeded from the late terrible civil 
war, was the removal of slavery. The late civil war, 
you will remember, raged furiously from April, 1861, 
to 1865. Thousands of the best and bravest of the 
land were sacrificed on both sides. The fairest 
portions of the South were desolated. When the war 
closed, slavery was gone ! We turn from a hasty 
glance at the late war to the proper subject of our 



lyo MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

memoir. Our task is nearly done. Washington's 
death startled his countrymen like an electric shock, 
though he had arrived at the mature age of sixty-eight. 
We have attempted to sketch in a simple, inartificial 
way, some of the most interesting and conspicuous 
incidents in the life of a remarkable man. A biogra- 
phy of Washington must of necessity be a history of 
the United States, for from the middle of the eighteenth 
century to its close, he was the central figure in every 
picture that may be drawn of national afl^airs. What 
a priceless heritage to the American people has been 
the virtuous, unselfish, and Christian life of Washing- 
ton ! There was a harmony in his life that, like sweet 
bells sounding down the track of time, has poured 
forth melody and unison, and has diffused an influence 
for good through all American history. 

Note. — Mrs. Washington died in Alexandria in 
1802. She survived her illustrious husband but little 
more than two years. From the commencement of 
her illness, which she bore with great composure, she 
declared she was undergoing the final struggle, and 
had long been prepared for her dissolution. She took 
the sacrament of the Lord's Supper from Dr. Davis, 
Rector of Christ's Church, Alexandria. She then 
sent for a white dress, which she had laid by for her 
last dress. In all the relations of life Mrs. W. had 
been truly exemplary. 

What hallows ground where heroes sleep? 
'T is not the sculptured piles jou heap. 
In dews that heavens far distant weep 

Their turf may bloom ; 
Or genii twine beneath the deep 

Their coral tomb. 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I7I 

But strew his ashes to the wind 

Whose s'Mord ov voice has served mankind — 

And is he dead whose glorious mind 

Lifts thine on high? 
To live in hearts we leave behind, 

Is not to die. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

The subject of this chapter will be the pictures and 
statues of Washington ; yet, before we speak of the 
representations of the physical man, we would recur 
again to the grand features of his moral and religious 
life. Washington did not live in a religious age. In 
the early days of colonization, England, or the mother 
church, showed much religious care for her colonies, 
in building large church edifices and in sending godly 
and learned ministers to officiate in them ; but for a 
considerable portion of the eighteenth century, there 
was a lamentable decline of piety, both in the clergy 
and in the laity. There were some, doubtless, who 
kept alive the flame of devotion, and who had not (as 
in the days of Elijah) bowed the knee to Baal, but 
much coldness and indifference prevailed. The Revo- 
lutionary war did not tend to encourage a religious 
spirit, and the French Revolution, which came quickly 
after it, like a great tidal wave, deluged France with 
infidelity, and not only infected for a time the youth 
of America, but touched with poison some of our most 
distinguished men : yet Washington, in this irreligious 
age, held fast to his integrity, and continued to worship 
in the church of his fathers devoutly and regularly. 
In all his official documents, both in war and in peace, 



172 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

he recognizes the superintending providence of God, 
and especially in the circuhirs to the governors of the 
states, and in his farewell address, he commends them 
to "the Divine author of our blessed religion," and 
speaks of the pure and benign light of Revelation. 
Much testimony has been adduced from his aids and 
officers to prove that Washington was in the daily 
habit of private prayer. Colonel Benjamin Temple, 
one of his aids, testifies, that on sudden, unexpected 
visits, he more than once found him on his knees, at 
his devotions, in the marquee. During the winter at 
Valley Forge, when the whole army were crowded 
together in log huts, it is said, on good authority, that 
Washington regularly retired to a neighboring wood 
for the purpose of private prayer. There were several 
famous infidels in England at this time, and among 
them Thomas Payne, who came over to America and 
professed much interest in our affairs. He wrote an 
able political pamphlet called " The Rights of Man," 
which enabled him to circulate one of the worst books 
ever published. This book was called " The Age of 
Reason." It was written to undermine the faith of 
Christians in the New Testament. Amid all the up- 
heavals of society, and an intense, bitter spirit of 
scoffing infidelity. General Washington was an earnest, 
sincere believer in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus 
Christ. 

The pictures and statues of Washington are very 
numerous. His portraiture is to be seen either on 
canvas or in marble or brass in every hall and gallery 
throughout the length and breadth of the land. The 
pictures so much resemble each other, that a glance 
reveals for whom it is intended ; yet there are such 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 1 73 



obvious points of difference in the work of different 
artists, that critics can easily detect the hand of the 
master who executed the work. Artists came over 
both from England and France to take his likeness. 
The portraits of Peale are very numerous. Trumbull, 
who also painted several portraits of Washington, was 
for some time one of the aids of Washington, and 
therefore had excellent opportunities of sketching 
accurately his features and of catching every varied 
expression. The portrait in the rotunda of the Capitol 
at Washington is a very spirited copy of one of Trum- 
bull's pictures, taken from an original painting in the 
gallery at New Haven. He painted one for Charles- 
ton, South Carolina. The idea of the artist in this 
picture was to depict him just before the battle of 
Trenton. He sees the superior numbers of the enemy : 
he knows the impossibility of recrossing the Delaware. 
The artist attempts to represent the moment of heroic 
resolve to conquer or to perisli. When Trumbull told 
Washington of his intention to represent him in this 
connection, Washington became excited at the thought 
of that eventful moment, and he recited, with glowing 
interest, the feelings and circumstances of that dread 
time. Trumbull caught the inspiration, and, as far as 
canvas can express, depicted the sublime emotion of 
that hour. When La Fayette first saw this picture, it 
is said he uttered an exclamation of delight. 

Gilbert Stuart came over from England to America 
with the especial purpose of making a portrait of 
Washington. He came in 1794. He painted Wash- 
ington as a hero in retirement. Stuart painted three 
pictures from Washington himself, and also made 
several copies. Mr. Irving very eloquently says of 



174 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

this representation of Stuart: "Let such pictures as 
David's Napoleon, with prancing steed, flashing eye, 
and waving sword, represent the mere victor and mili- 
tary genius ; but he who spurned a crown and knew 
no watchword but duty, no goal but freedom and 
justice, and no reward but the approval of conscience 
and the gratitude of his countrymen, lives more appro- 
priately, both to memory and in art, under the aspect 
of a finished life, crowned with the harvest of honor 
and peace, and serene in the consummation of disin- 
terested purpose." 

One of Stuart's pictures was taken at the request of 
Mrs. Washington, who wished to place it among the 
famil}'^ pictures at Mount Vernon. 

Mr. Jefferson, on behalf of the State of Virginia, 
arranged with Houdon, a sculptor of great merit, to 
come to America to make a marble statue of Washing- 
ton. He came over with Dr. Franklin, and remained 
long enough at Mount Vernon to execute the head of 
the statue. He finished it at Paris. It is said Gouv- 
erneur Morris, whose figure strongly resembled that 
of Washington, stood frequently before the sculptor as 
the representative of his great countryman. This 
statue of Houdon's is in the Capitol at Richmond, 
Virginia. There is a statue of Washington, taken 
by Canova, in the State House at Raleigh, North 
Carolina. 

One of the finest statues of Washington is an eques- 
trian statue executed by Crawford, an American artist. 
Crawford was a New Yorker. He saw in a Rich- 
mond newspaper, proposals for a monument by the 
State of Virginia. The central figure was to be a 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 1 75 

colossal figure of Washington. Grouped around on a 
star-shaped pedestal, were to be six figures of the 
great statesmen of Virginia. Crawford sent his model 
of Washington to Richmond, and it was preferred 
unanimously to any other model sent. Crawford went 
immediately to Italy to perfect his work. He after- 
ward went to Munich, as the statue or statues were to 
be cast in bronze in a Munich foundry. This statue 
of Washington is twenty-five feet liigh ; it was cast 
under the immediate personal superintendence of 
Crawford, The Richmond people testified their en- 
thusiasm when the ship arrived, by dragging the 
statue to Capitol Hill, the place of erection. The 
ship that brought this statue, brought the sad intelli- 
gence of the artist's death. He only lived to finish, 
besides the equestrian statue of Washington, the statue 
of Patrick Henry. Like many other gilted men, he 
had overtasked his physical strength in his enthusi- 
astic devotion to his profession. " He wing'd the 
shaft that quivered in his heart." It is a blest and 
beautiful art which recalls vividly to our minds the 
image upon which we love to dwell, though the im- 
pression of our loved ones is deeply graven in our 
hearts ; yet the painter's touch or the sculptor's chisel 
serves to quicken our conceptions and to give life and 
coloring to those who have been removed from us. 
It is an honorable and laudable national pride that 
would perpetuate the forms of heroes and good men, 
in brass or marble. But no statue or painting, how- 
ever imposing and beautiful, can fill the mind with 
such sublime emotions, as the contemplation of a well- 
spent life ! 



176 MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

Thou who stealest fire, 
From the fountains of the past, 

To glorify the present, oh haste ! 
Visit my desire. 

Strengthen me, enlighten me, 
I faint in this obscurity, 
Thou dewy dawn of Memory ! 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

MOUNT VERNON — CONCLUDING CHAPTER. 

We have spoken, in the early part of this vohjme, 
of Mount Vernon. We have told our young readers 
from whom it was derived, and from whom it received 
its name. I now ask them to revisit with me the re- 
vered place. Seventy-three years have passed since 
Washinijton was laid in the tomb. Pilcrrims resort 
thither, 3-ear after 3'ear, to visit his burial-place and 
the home he for many years gladdened with his pres- 
ence. Many years since, we saw this place, so dear to 
every American heart. Mount Vernon is eight miles 
from Alexandria, in Fairfax county, Virginia, and 
fifteen miles from Washington -City. The mansion is 
built of wood cut in imitation of free-stone. The cen- 
tral part of this building, it is said, was built by Law- 
rence Washington ; the wings were added by General 
Washington. The rooms of the house are spacious 
and commodious, with some degree of elegance in 
the arrangement ; but the whole is marked with great 
simplicity. There is a high piazza on the eastern 
front of the house. Under this piazza, we are told, 
upon the pavement of flat stones, Washington used to 
walk to and fro, with a military regularity, every morn- 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. I77 

ing, the noble Potomac in full view, spreading out to 
the width of a bay at the foot of the mount, and the 
shore of Mar3'land lining its eastern horizon. By the 
side of the door hung the spy-glass, through which he 
watched the passing objects on the river. There is 
one room which he used as a dining-room, where he 
used to meet his friends and political visitors. The 
furniture of this room is just as he used it. We re- 
member that, as we entered this room, our attention 
was directed to a huge brass key that hung upon the 
wall. It had been sent to Washington by La Fayette, 
as an interesting relic. This hold of tyranny, the 
Baslile, was destroyed by the French people, my young 
readers will remember, on the 14th of July, 1789. All 
the friends of liberty throughout the civilized world 
rejoiced at the demolition of this hideous prison. You 
know that we learn from Holy Scripture that in the 
ancient Roman Empire "it was deemed unreasonable 
to send a prisoner to be judged without signifying the 
crimes laid against him ;" but in modern France, pre- 
vious to the French Revolution, men were thrown into 
the Bastile, when they had offended some of the 
ministers of government, by a " lettre de cachet," 
without knowing for what particular offense tliey were 
imprisoned. They only, I suppose, who have lived 
where the only law was the monarch's will, can fully 
appreciate the blessings of a constitutional govern- 
ment. 

We must return to our theme — Mount Vernon. The 
rich verdure of the lawns, the neat hedges of the old- 
fashioned gardens, the grand old trees, and, beyond 
all, the tomb that incloses all that was mortal of Wash- 
ington, imparted an inexpressible interestto the revered 



178 MEMOIR OF WASHITVOTON. 

place. In a retired spot, at a short distance from the 
house, we found the family tomb. We looked through 
a barred iron gate and saw two sarcophagi of white 
marble, side by side, containing the remains of Wash- 
ington and his beloved wife, Martha Washington. 
But it was not what the eye gazed upon that filled us 
with strange, unwonted emotion. The spirits of the 
glorious dead seemed to hover around. Washington 
and many of his noble compeers here had roamed. 
Here they had planned and digested the schemes that 
had borne for us such goodly fruit, and had presented 
a model of government for the imitation of mankind. 
Thoughts such as these came thronging. " Each 
object was dim with associations, the shadow of some- 
thing great and past." It was enchanted ground, and 
we walked amid the silent shades of Mount Vernon as 
those who dream. 

"The waters murmured of their names, 
The woods were peopled with their fame ; 
The silent pillar, lone and graj^, 
Claimed kindred with their sacred claj." 

Should any of my young readers ever visit this spot, 
so dear, to every American heart, do not turn away 
with disappointment from the gray, time-worn aspect 
of the house which was once the resort of the wisest 
and most virtuous of the land. This hospitable home 
of refinement and exalted sentiment, and also ever and 
anon of festal cheer, must always have been a simple, 
unostentatious structure, not to be compared with the 
palaces that we now see in commercial capitals on 
every hand. We appreciate the skill of the architect, 
and the taste of him who adorns the inner rooms with 
rare and exquisite articles of veriu, convenience, and 



MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 



179 



luxury ; but these baubles (baubles by comparison) 
can not invest a dwellincr with the elevatin<j associa- 
tions which cluster around the places, however faded 
and time-worn, that the great and good have called 
their own ; — men who lived not merely for themselves 
but for posterity, leaving us as a nation a legacy be- 
yond all price. The great dramatist says : 

" Heaven doth with us as we with torches do. 
Not light them for tliemselves, for if our virtues 
Did not go forth of us, 't were all alike, 
As if we had them not. Spirits are not 
Finely touched, but to fine issues — " 

The centennial anniversary of the beginning of this 
republic is at hand. In three years the cycle will be 
complete. America is regarded as the youngest of 
the nations. Some few men, now living, knew her 
as a colony. If years were measured by what is 
achieved by progress in arts, and in all knowledge 
that has tended to increase comfort and material civil- 
ization, the century that is about to close, might be 
regarded as almost immeasurable. The thpteen col- 
onies of our ancestors have become a mighty empire, 
extending from ocean to ocean. Space has been al- 
most annihilated b}^ steam. A girdle has been put 
around our hemisphere. China and Japan now send 
their products by our railways to continental Europe. 
The ends of the earth have come tocjether. When 
American Christians first sent missionaries to the Chi- 
nese, they little dreamed that tens of thousands of 
those pagans would come to our own shores and a door 
for their evangelization be opened in our own country. 
But notwithstandincr our blessincrs, "how restless is 
man ! Grim-visaged war has frowned upon us three 



l8o MEMOIR OF WASHINGTON. 

times during this century: the war of 1812, the war 
with Mexico in 1845, and the war between the North 
and South, from April, 1861 to April, 1865 — a war 
never to be forgotten so long as one actor or one spec- 
tator of the bloody drama survives. It will long be 
remembered, we trust, as a warning to our people to 
avoid all unnecessar}^ war. May the flames of war 
never again be rekindled on these shores ! But there 
are also evils incident to a long-continued peace. 
Peace and prosperity tend to luxury and self-indul- 
gence, and these degenerate into licentiousness and 
sin. " Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a 
reproach to any people." There can be no well- 
founded hope of the perpetuity of our institutions, un- 
less there be in the people a strong abiding sense of 
God's presence and of moral accountability. All 
social reforms must be distrusted, which are not 
founded on individual reformation. There is no hope 
for man, either in time or eternity, unless his passions 
are governed and his wicked propensities are subju- 
gated. The mere education of the intellect can not 
accomplish this end. The intellectual nature may be 
highly cultivated, while the heart or moral part of our 
nature may be as "a cage of unclean birds." There 
is an abundant provision in this land for the education 
of the mental powers. Are our homes and churches 
equally zealous in training and regulating the moral 
affections? The heart must be touched by a power 
above ourselves. This instrument must be attuned to 
harmony by the Hand that made it. 

"Ah ! if our souls but poise and swing, 
Like the compass in its brazen ring, 
Ever level and ever true 
To the toil and the work we have to do, 
We shall sail securely and safely reach 
The Fortunate Isles, on whose shining beach 
The sights we see, and the sounds we hear, 
' Will be those of joy, and not of fear." 



APPENDIX. 



LAS CASAS — A NOTE ON THE INTRODUCTION. 

We have referred our readers to a note at the end of 
the volume. We wished, in speaking of the remarkable 
men of the sixteenth century, to speak of Las Casas, the 
bishop of Chiapa. This remarkable man was born at 
Seville, in Spain, in 1474. After completing his studies in 
law and divinity, at the University of Salamanca, he em- 
barked for the New World. His father had accompanied 
Columbus in his first voyage, and had acquired wealth in 
his vocation. Las Casas now accompanied Oviedo in the 
most brilliant armament that had ever been equipped for 
the Western World. A few years after, he was admitted 
to priest's orders in St. Domingo — memorable because he 
was the first ecclesiastic ordained in the colonies. Seeing 
tlie ignorance of the native population, and witnessing, 
with shame and distress, their cruel oppi'ession by his 
countrymen, he determined to use all his energies to im- 
prove their condition ; his Avhole heart yearned for their 
amelioration and enfranchisement. He was inspired by 
one great and glorious idea. He has commended himself 
to posterity, not by discoveries by sea and land, like some 
of his contemporaries, but in listening to the voice of con- 
science, or to the Holy Spirit within him, that bade him 
arise and consecrate his eff'orts for the good of those around 
him. It was a general idea, in his age, that it was not 
wrong to enslave the heathen. Even the benevolent Las 
Casas, when he saw the physical weakness of the Indian, 
and how they were melting away under the ojDpressive 
scheme of the repartunientos, recommended the importa- 
tion of the more hardy negroes. This plan had been pre- 



182 APPENDIX. 



viously proposed, by the wisest and most benevolent, as a 
means of lessening the amount of human suffering. Las 
Casas afterward confesses with deep regret and humility 
that he had ever sanctioned the plan of the importation 
of negroes, saying such advice was founded on erroneous 
views; "that the same law applied equally to the negro as 
to the Indian." He was one of those to whose gifted 
minds are revealed those glorious moral truths which, like 
the lights of heaven, are fixed and the same forever, but 
which, though now familiar, were hidden from the many 
by the general darkness of the time in which the}^ lived. 
For the furtherance of his benevolent views, he crossed 
the sea five times to obtain patronage and authority at 
home. Nothing daunted by the presence of royalt}^ he 
pleaded the cause of" the poor Indian " before Charles the 
Fifth. The government testified their sense of his signal 
services in the colonies and in the cause of humanity by 
presenting him with the bishopric of Cuzco— one of the 
richest sees in their gift. He refused it, not coveting 
riches or preferment; but he accepted the bishopric of 
Chiapa, because, from the poverty and ignorance of its in- 
habitants, it offered a wider field for spiritual labor. He 
preached, also, to the wild tribes of Nicaragua and Guate- 
mala a century before the good Elliott preached to the 
Indian tribes of Massachusetts. 



NOTE ON THE FIRST CHAPTER, WITH REGARD TO OLD STYLE 
AND NEW STYLE. 

We have said General Washington was born on the 22d 
February, 1732— old style, 11th February. For the in- 
struction of our young readers, we will add that the sub- 
ject of our memoir was born twenty years before our cal- 
endar was reformed. Pope Gregory XIII. reformed the 
calendar in 1582, by retrenching ten days in October, in 
order to bring back the vernal equinox to the same day 
as at the Council of Nice, a. d. 325. England did not 



BATTLES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 183 

make this change until 1752. The Parliament of England 
directed that eleven days should be retrenched from the 
month of September, reckoning the third day of that 
month as the fourteenth. In the calendar of Julius Caesar 
there were eleven minutes too much in each year. Hence, 
in a long series of years, the necessity of the retrenchment 
of days. 



NOTE ON THE THIRTY-SECOND CHAPTER. 

The chief consideration that used to reconcile conscien- 
tious people to the existence of slavery, was the thought that 
their condition was far better in this country than in their 
own native country — Africa. The writer well remembers an 
incident of her early childhood. Traveling with her father 
in a sequestered part of the country, a ferry was crossed. 
The boat was pulled over by ropes. The ferryman was an 
old man — a native African. Father entered into conver- 
sation with him, asking him if he did not recollect when he 
was brought away from his country. "Yes, sir." "Are 
you sorry you came here?" " Oh, no, master. If I had 
not come here, I should not have known Jesus Christ." 



A NOTE ON THE BATTLES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

We are aware that our chapters, in describing some of 
the battles of the Revolution, are neither graphic nor 
spirited. It is difficult for one not skilled in military af- 
fairs fully to comprehend these things, or to be fired with 
sufficient enthusiasm to paint them truly. We are re- 
minded of a story we have read somewhere of Hannibal, 
the great Carthaginian captain. A Grreek sophist was dis- 
coursing at length upon the art of war to a large audience. 
Hannibal happened to be present. Some of the hearers 
were filled with admiration at the eloquence of the Grreek. 
They appealed, with confidence, to Hannihal for his opin- 
ion. " I have seen many absurd men in my life, but never 



184 APPENDIX, 



one 80 absurd as this lecturer." We can understand the 
moral bravery and the sjiirit of resistance to oppression 
that dwelt in the hearts of the people, as evinced by the 
little battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill. We are 
struck with admiration at the desperate resolve of Wash- 
ington in crossing the Delaware on the December night, 
mid storms and tempests. We can fancy the sublime feel- 
ings of satisfaction and hope that excited the minds of 
officers and men when they saw Burgoyne, at Saratoga, 
withdraw his troops and surrender his sword. Above all, 
the grand surrender at Yorktown, 19th of October, 1781 — 
the splendid consummation of toil, privation, and suffer- 
ing. All this we fully grasp; but in the details on the 
battle-fields, we fear we have failed. We refer our young 
readers to a splendid description of a battle scene, in the 
poem of Marmion. 



NOTE ON THE THIRTY-THIRD CHAPTER. 

When we were about to close our Memoir, a church 
journal was sent us, containing an admirable sermon on 
the religious character of Washington. This sermon con- 
tains these words: "A deep spiritual apathy had crept 
into the very heart of the church, both in England and 
America. As Christians and as churchmen, it is sad to 
lookback upon this period of English history. [The early 
part of the eighteenth century.] There was a ruling spirit 
at court, that encouraged such a man as Dean Swift to as- 
pire to the episcopate, and which turned a cold shoulder 
and treated with cruel treachery such a man as Dean 
Berkeley. OjDen, scoffing infidelity vaunted itself in high 
places." We have spoken fully of the irreligious age in 
which Washington lived ; but it must not be forgotten that 
some of the greatest writers and some of the best benefac- 
tors of the Christian Church lived in that age. While 
Wesley, reared in a religious home, and in the bosom of 
the Church of England, together with Whitfield, his noble 



RELIGION IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 185 

coadjutoi', were pi'eaching to the masses, and kindling a 
flame of devotion (not unlike the fl.ame that Latimer and 
Eidlej" kindled in the sixteenth century, without the mar- 
tyrdoms), Dr. Butler, bishop of Durham, was writing his 
unanswerable book on "The Analogy of Eeligion, Natural 
and Eevealed, to the Constitution and Course of Nature." 
This book was written in 1752. In the latter part of this 
century, Dr. Paley wrote "The Evidences of Christianity," 
" Hor^e Paulinse," and "Natural Theology." Books like 
these have been an invaluable legacy to the church. " The 
child yet unborn," says Sydney Smith, " shall bless the name 
of Paley for some of the books he has written." But per- 
haps no individual in an}' age ever exerted msire influence 
for good than Mis.s Hannah More, by the establishment of 
schools for the poor in the district where she lived, and by 
the writing, of religious tracts in opposition to the infidel 
tracts, that were in circulation in her time. The attacks 
of infidels, too, were nobly answered by Watson and oth- 
ers. The Presbyterians, too, of the last century, had many 
distinguished writers among them. Who has written so 
much to charm and instruct lisping infancy as Dr. Watts? 
How many of the spiritually minded have breathed out 
holy aspirations through his simple, eloquent hymns ! 
Mr. Edwards, who wrote a famous work on "The Will," 
was a powerful champion on the side of Christian truth. 
" The Eise and Progress of Religion in the Soul," written 
by Mr. Doddridge, also belongs to the infidel age, of which 
we have s^ioken. This book is, we believe, little read now; 
but, in our experience, we have seen anxious inquirers af- 
ter truth read it with eagerness and kindling interest. 
We have seen the pallid cheek glow, and the eye now 
turned from the vanities of earth, rest upon these pages 
Avith unfeigned delight. We have mentioned these things 
to prove that notwithstanding the coldness of the Church 
of England during a portion of the eighteenth century, 
and the prevalence of infidelity, there was still "a cloud of 
witnesses " to the value and truth of Revelation. To this age 



186 APPENDIX. 



belonged Toplady, who wrote the ftivorite hymn, " Eock 
of Ages ; " also, Cowper, and Cecil, and John Newton, 
who awakened new zeal and energy in the chxii'ch of tlieir 
fathers. The present age is skeptical. There are those 
who would bring tis back from their scientific researches 
"a message of despair." But there is little to be feared 
from "development theories," or other phases of science 
(falsely so called), so long as ^'^ou strive, with "the help of 
God," to control animal passion; so long as you recognize 
the distinction between the nobler and baser parts of your 
being, and endeavor to lead a pure, upright, and useful 
life — preferring truth to falsehood, justice to violence, and 
compassion to cruelty. Farewell ! 



WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 



Friends and Fellow -citizens: 

The period for a new election of a citizen to administer 
the executive government of the United States being not 
far distant, and the time actually arrived when your 
thoughts must be employed in designating the person 
who is to be clothed with that important trust, it ajj pears 
to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more dis- 
tinct expression of the public voice, that I should now 
apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline 
being considered among the number of those out of whom 
a choice is to be made. 

I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to be 
assured, that this resolution has not been taken without a 
strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the 
relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his country ; and 
that, in withdrawing the tender of service, which silence 
in m}^ situation might imply, I am influenced by no 
diminution of zeal for your future interest — no deficiency 
of respect for your past kindness ; but am supported by a 
full conviction that the step is compatible with both. 

The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in the office 
to which your suffrages have twice called me, have been a 
uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and 
to a deference for what appeared to be your desii'e. I con- 
stantly hoped that it would have been much earlier in my 
power, consistently with motives which I was not at 
liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement from 
which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my 
inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had 



188 APPENDIX. 



even led to the preparation ot an address to declare it to 
you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and 
critical posture of atfairs with foreign nations, and the 
unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, im- 
pelled me to abandon the idea. 

I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well 
as internal, no longer renders the pui'suit of inclination 
incompatible with the sentiment of duty or propriety ; and 
am persuaded, whatever partiality may be I'etained for my 
services, that in the present circumstances of our country, 
you will not disapprove of my determination to retire. 

The impressions with wliich I first undertook the ardu- 
ous trust, were explained on the proper occasion. In the 
discharge of this trust, I will only say, that I have, with 
good intentions, contributed toward the organization and 
administration of the government, the best exertions of 
which a very fallible judgment was capable. Not uncon- 
scious, in the outset, of the inferiority of my qualifications, 
experience in iny own eyes, perhaps still more in the eyes 
of others, has strengthened the motives to diffidence of 
myself; and every day the increasing weight of j'ears 
admonishes me more and more that the shade of retire- 
ment is as necessary for me as it will be welcome Satisfied 
that, if any circumstances have given peculiar value to my 
services, they were temporary, 1 have the consolation to 
believe that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit 
the political scene, patriotism does not foi'bid it. 

In looking forward to the moment which is to terminate 
the career of my political life, mj feelings do not permit 
me to suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of 
gratitude which I owe to my beloved countiy, for the 
man}^ honors it hag conferred upon me; still more for the 
steadfast confidence with which it has supported me; and 
for the opportunities I have thence enjoyed, of manifesting 
my inviolable attachment, by services fjiithful and per- 
severing, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. If bene- 
fits have resulted to our country from these services, let it 



Washington's farewell address. 189 

alway8 be reniembei'ed to your praise, and as an instructive 
example in our annals, that under circumstances in which 
the passions, agitated in every direction, were liable to 
mislead, amid appearances sometimes dubious, vicissitudes 
of fortune often discouraging, in situations in which, not 
unfrequently, want of success has countenanced the spirit 
of criticism, the constancy of your support was the essential 
prop of the efforts, and a guaranty of the plans by which 
they were effected. Profoundly penetrated with this idea, 
I shall carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incite- 
ment to unceasing wishes, that Heaven may continue to 
you the choicest tokens of its beneficence; that yO\ir union 
and brotherly affection may be perpetual ; that the free 
constitution, which is the work of your hands, ma}' be 
sacredl}^ maintained ; that its administration, in every de- 
partment, may be stamped with wisdom and virtue ; that, 
in fine, the happiness of the people of these states, under the 
auspices of liberty, may be made complete by so careful a 
preservation, and so prudent a use of this blessing, as will 
acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the ap- 
plause, the affection, and adoption of every nation which 
is yet a stranger to it. 

Here, perhaps, I ought to stop; but a solicitude for your 
welfare, which can not end but with my life, and the aj)- 
prehension of danger natural to that solicitude, urge me, 
on an occasion like the present, to offer to your solemn 
contemplation, and to recommend to your frequent review, 
some sentiments, which are the result of much reflection, 
of no inconsiderable observation, and which appear to me 
all-important to the permanency of j^our felicity as a people. 
These will be offei-ed to you with the more freedom, as you 
can only see in them the disinterested warnings of a pair- 
ing friend who can possibly have no personal motive to 
bias his counsel ; nor can I foi'get as an encouragement to 
it, your indulgent reception of my sentiments on a former 
and not dissimilar occasion. 

Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament 



190 APPENDIX. 



of our hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to 
fortify or confirm the attachment. 

The unity of government which constitutes you one 
people, is also now dear to you. It is justly so ; for it is a 
main pillar in the edifice of your real independence ; the 
support of your tranquillity at home, your peace abroad ; 
of your safety ; of j^our prosperity ; of that very liberty 
which you so highly prize. But as it is easy to foresee, 
that from different causes and from different quarters, 
much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to 
weaken, in your minds, the conviction of this truth ; as this 
is the point in your political fortress against which the bat- 
teries of internal and external enemies will be most constantly 
and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, 
it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate 
the immense value of your national union to your collective 
and individual happiness; that you should cherish a 
cordial, habitual, and immovable attachment to it ; accus- 
toming yourselves to think and speak of it as a palladium 
of your political safety and prosperity ; watching for its 
preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing what- 
ever may suggest even a suspicion that it can, in any 
event, be abandoned ; and indignantly frowning upon the 
first dawning of every attempt to alienate any jDortion of 
our country from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties 
which now link together the various parts. 

For this you have every inducement of sympathy and 
intei'est. Citizens by birth or choice of a common country, 
that country has a right to concentrate your affections. 
The name of American, M^hich belongs to you in your na- 
tional capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriot- 
ism, more than any appellation derived from local dis- 
criminations. With slight shades of difference, you have 
the same religion, manners, habits, and political principles. 
You have, in a common cause, fought and triumphed 
together; the independence and liberty you possess ai-e 



WASHINGTON S FAREWELL ADDRESS. 191 

the work of joint councils and joint efforts, of common 
dangers, sufferings, and success. 

But these considerations, however powerfully they ad- 
di-ess themselves to your sensibility, are generally out- 
weighed by those which applj^ more immediately to your 
interest; here every portion of our country finds the most 
commanding motives for carefullj' guarding and preserv- 
ing the union of the whole. 

The JN'orth, in an unrestrained intercourse with the 
South, protected by the e(.j[ual laws of a common govern- 
ment, finds in the productions of the latter great additional 
resources of maritime and commercial enterprise, and 
precious materials of manufacturing industry. The South, 
in the same intercourse, benefiting by the same agency of 
the North, sees its agriculture grow and its commerce ex- 
pand. Turning partly into its own channels the seamen 
of the North, it finds its particular navigation invigorated ; 
and while it contributes, in different ways, to nourish and 
increase the general mass of the national navigation, it 
looks forward to the protection of a maritime strength, to 
which itself is unequally adapted. The East, in like inter- 
course with the West, in the progressive improvement of 
interior communications by land and water, will more and 
more find a valuable vent for the commodities which it 
brings from abroad or manuftictures at home. The West 
derives from the East supplies requisite to its growth and 
comfort; and what is perhaps of still greater consequence, 
it must, of necessity, owe the secure enjoyment of the in- 
dispensable outlets for its own productions, to the weight, 
influence, and future maritime strength of the Atlantic side 
of the Union, directed by an indissoluble community of in- 
terest as one nation. Any other tenure by which the West 
can hold this essential advantage, whether derived from 
its own separate strength, or from an apostate and unnat- 
ural connection with any foreign jiower, must be intrinsi- 
cally precarious. 

While, then, every part of our country thus feels an im- 



192 



APPENDIX. 



mediate and particular interest in union, all the parts com- 
bined can not fail to find, in the united mass of means and 
efforts, greater strength, greater resource, proportionately 
greater security from external danger, a less frequent in- 
terruption of their peace by foreign nations; and what is 
of inestimable value, they must derive from union an ex- 
emption from those broils and wai's between themselves 
which so frequently afflict neighboring countries not tied 
together by the same government, which their own rival- 
ships alone would be sufficient to produce, but which op- 
posite foreign alliances, attachments, and intrigues would 
stimulate and embitter. Hence, likewise, they will avoid 
the necessity of those overgrown military establishments 
which, under any form of government, are inauspicious to 
liberty, and which are to be regarded as particularly hos- 
tile to i-epublican liberty; in this sense it is that your 
union ought to be considered as a main prop of your 
liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to 
3'ou the preservation of the other. 

These considerations sj^eak a persuasive language to 
every reflecting and virtuous mind, and exhibit the con- 
tinuance of the Union as a primary object of patriotic 
desire. Is there a doubt whether a common government 
can embrace so large a sphere? Let experience solve it. 
To listen to mere speculation in such a case were criminal. 
We are authorized to hope that a jDroper organization of 
the whole, with the auxiliary agency of governments for 
the respective subdivisions, will afford a happy issue of 
the experiment. It is well worth a fair and full experi- 
ment. With such powerful and obvious motives to union, 
affecting all parts of our country, while experience shall 
not have demonstrated its impracticability, there will 
always be reason to distrust the patriotism of those who. 
in an}^ quarter, may endeavor to weaken its bands. 

In contemplating the causes which may disturb our 
union, it occurs, as matter of serious concern, that any 
ground should have been furnished for characterizing 



Washington's farewell address. 193 

parties by geographical discriminations— northern and 
southern, Atlantic and western — whence designing men 
may endeavor to excite a belief that there is a real differ- 
ence of local interests and views. One of the expedients 
of party to acquire influence within particular districts, is 
to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. 
You can not shield yourselves too much against the jeal- 
ousies and heart-burnings which spring from these mis- 
representations ; they tend to render alien to each other 
those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affec- 
tion. The inhabitants of our western country have lately 
had a useful lesson on this head : thej^ have seen, in the 
negotiation by the executive, and in the unanimous ratifi- 
cation hy the senate, of the treaty with Spain, and in the 
universal satisfaction at that event throughout the United 
States, a decisive proof how unfounded were the suspicions 
propagated among them of a policy in the general govern- 
ment, and in the Atlantic states, unfriendly to their in- 
terests in regard to the 3Iississippi; they have been wit- 
nesses to the formation of two treaties — that with Great 
Britain and that with Spain — which secure to them every- 
thing they could desire, in respect to our foreign relations, 
toward confirming their prosperity. Will it not be their 
wisdom to rely, for the preservation of these advantages, 
on the Union by which they were procured ? Will they 
not. henceforth be deaf to those advisers, if such there are, 
who would sever them from their brethren and connect 
them with aliens ? 

To the efficacy and permanency of your union, a gov- 
ernment for the whole is indispensable. No alliances, 
however strict, between the parts, can be an adequate sub- 
stitute ; they must inevitably experience the infractions 
and interruptions which alliances, in all times, have ex- 
perienced. Sensible of this momentous truth, you have 
improved upon your first essay by the adoption of a con- 
stitution of government better calculated than your 
former for an intimate union, and for the efficacious man- 



t 

194 APPENDIX. 



agement of your common concerns. This government, 
the offspring of your own choice, uninfluenced and un- 
awed, adopted upon full investigation and mature delibera- 
tion, completely free in its principles, in the distribution 
of its powers, uniting security with energy, and contain- 
ing within itself provision for its own amendment, has a 
just claim to your confidence and your support. Respect 
for its authority, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in 
its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental max- 
ims of true liberty.. Tlie basis of our political system is 
the right of the people to make and to alter their constitu- 
tions of government; but the constitution which, at any 
time, exists, until changed by an explicit and authentic 
act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all. 
The very idea of the power and the right of the people to 
establish government, presupposes the duty of every in- 
dividual to obey the established government. 

All obstructions to the execution of the laws, all com- 
binations and associations, under whatever plausible char- 
acter, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, 
or awe the regular deliberation and action of the consti- 
tuted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental prin- 
cii)le, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize fac- 
tion, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force, to put 
in the place of the delegated will of the nation the will of 
party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority 
of the community, and according to the alternate triumphs 
of different parties, to make the public administration the 
mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of 
faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome 
plans, digested by common councils, and modified by 
mutual interests. 

However combinations or associations of the above 
description may now and then answer popular ends, they 
are likely, in the course of time and things, to become 
potent engines by which cunning, ambitious, and unpinn- 
cipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the 



Washington's farewell address. 195 

people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of govern- 
ment, destroying afterward the very engines which have 
lifted them to unjust dominion. 

Toward the preservation of your government and the 
permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, 
not only that you steadily discountenance irregular ojspo- 
sition to its acknowledged authority, but also that you 
resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its princi- 
ples, however specious the pretexts. One method of as- 
sault may be, to effect, in the forms of tfie constitution, 
alterations which will impair the energy of the system, 
and thus to undermine what can not be directly over- 
thrown. In all the changes to which you maybe invited, 
remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to 
fix the true character of governments as of other human 
institutions; that experience is the surest standard by 
which to test the real tendency of the existing constitu- 
tions of a country ; that facility in changes, upon the credit 
of mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change 
from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion ; and re- 
. member, especially, that, from the efficient management of 
your common interests in a country so extensive as ours, a 
government of as much vigor as is consistent with the 
perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself 
will find in such a government, with powers pi"operly dis- 
tributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is, indeed, 
little else than a name where the government is too feeble 
to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each 
member of society within the limits i^rescribed by the 
laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil en- 
joyment of the rights of person and property. 

I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in 
the state, with particular reference to the founding of them 
on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more 
comprehensive view, and warn you, in the most solemn man- 
ner , against the baneful effects of th e spirit of party generally. 

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our na- 



196 APPENDIX. 



ture, having its root in the strongest passions of the hu- 
man mind. It exists, under different shapes, in all 
governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed ; 
but in those of the popular form it is seen in its greatest 
rankness, and is truly their worst enemy. 

The alternate domination of one faction over another, 
sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dis- 
sension, which, in different ages and countries, has perpe- 
trated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful des- 
potism. But this leads at length to a more formal and 
permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which 
result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek secu- 
rity and repose in the absolute power of an individual, and, 
sooner or later, the chief of some prevailing faction, more 
able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this 
disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the 
ruins of the public liberty. 

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind 
(which, nevertheless, ought not to be entirely out of 
sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit 
of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of 
a wise people to discourage and restrain it. 

It serves always to distract the public councils, and en- 
feeble the public administration. It agitates the commu- 
nity with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms ; kindles 
the animosity of one part against another; foments occa- 
sional riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign 
influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access 
to the government itself, through the channels of party 
passion. Thus the policy and will of one country are sub- 
jected to the policy and will of another. 

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are 
useful checks upon the administi'ation of the government, 
and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This, within 
certain limits, is probably true; and in governments of a 
monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if 
not with favor, upon the spirit of jjarty. But in those of 



Washington's farewell address. lO*! 



popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a 
sj^irit not to be encouraged. From the natural tendency, 
it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for 
every salutarj^ purjDose. And there being constant danger 
of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, 
to mitigate and assuage it. A fii'e not to be quenched, it 
demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into 
a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume. 

It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in 
a free country should inspire caution in those intrusted 
with its administration, to confine themselves within their 
respective constitutional spheres, avoiding, in the exercise 
of the powers of one department, to encroach upon another. 
The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers 
of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever 
the form of government, a real despotism. A just esti- 
mate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, 
which predominate in the human heart, is sufficient to sat- 
isfy us of the truth of this position. The necessity of re- 
ciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by di- 
viding and distributing it into different depositories, and 
constituting each the guardian of the public weal against 
invasions of the other, has been evinced by expei-iments, 
ancient and modern ; some of them in our country, and 
under our own eyes. To preserve them, must be as neces- 
sary as to institute them. If, in the opinion of the people, 
the distribution or modification of the constitutional 
powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by 
an amendment in the way in which the constitution desig- 
nates. But let there be no change by usurpation ; for 
though this in one instance may be the instrument of good, 
it is the customary weapon by which free governments are 
destroyed. The precedent must always greatly overbal- 
ance in permanent evil any partial or transient benefit 
which the use can at any time yield. 

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to politi- . 



198 APPENDIX, 



cal prosperity, religion and morality ai'e indispensable sup- 
ports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of pat- 
riotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of 
human hajipiness — these firmest props of the duties of men 
and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious 
man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume 
could not trace all their connection with private and pub- 
lic felicity. Let it be simply asked, where is the security 
for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of relig- 
ious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments 
of investigation in courts of justice ? And let us with cau- 
tion indulge the supposition that morality can be main- 
tained without religion. "Whatever may be conceded to 
the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar 
structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect 
that national morality can prevail in exclusion of relig- 
ious principles. 

It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a nec- 
essary spring of popular government. The rule indeed 
extends with more or less force to every species of free gov- 
ernment. Who that is a sincere friend to it, can look with 
indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the 
fabric ? 

Promote, then, as an object of primary importance, in- 
stitutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In pro- 
portion as the structure of a government gives force to 
public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be 
enlightened. 

As a very important source of strength and security, 
cherish public credit. One method of preserving it, is to 
use it as sparingly as possible ; avoiding occasions of ex- 
pense, by cultivating peace, but remembering, also, that 
timely disbursements to prepare for danger, frequently pre- 
vent much greater disbursements to rej)el it; avoiding, 
likewise, the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning 
occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertions in time of 
peace, to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars have 



Washington's farewell address. 199 

occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the 
burden which we ourselves ought to bear. The execution 
of these* maxims belongs to your representatives, but it is 
necessary that public opinion should co-operate. To facili- 
tate to them the performance of their duty, it is essential 
you should practicallj'" bear in mind, that, toward the pay- 
ment of debts, there must be revenue; that to have reve- 
nue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised 
which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant; 
that the intrinsic embarrassment, inseparable from the se- 
lection of the proper objects (which is always a choice of 
difficulties), ought to be a decisive motive for a candid con- 
struction of the conduct of the government in making it, 
and for a sj^irit of acquiescence in the measures for obtain- 
ing revenue, which the public exigencies may at any time 
dictate. 

Observe good faith and justice toward all nations ; cul- 
tivate peace and harmonj^ with all. Religion and moral- 
it}^ enjoin this conduct; and can it be that good policy 
does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, 
enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation to 
give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example 
of a people ahvaj'-s guided by an exalted justice and be- 
nevolence. Who can doubt that in the course of time and 
things the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any 
temporary advantages that might be lost by a steady ad- 
herence toil? Can it be that Providence has connected 
the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? The 
experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment 
which ennobles human nature. Alas! it is rendered im- 
])ossible by its vices. 

In the execution of such a plan, nothing is more essen- 
tial than that permanent, inveterate antipathies against 
particular nations, and passionate attachments for others, 
should be excluded ; and that in the place of them, just and 
amicable feelings toward all should be cultivated. The 
nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred 



200 APPENDIX. 



or an habitual fondness, is in some degree a slave. It is a 
slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is 
sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its' interest. 
Antipathy in one nation against another disposes each 
more readily to offer insult and injury, to lay hold of 
slight causes of umbrage, and to be haughty and intract- 
able when accidental or trifling occasions of dispute occur. 

Hence, frequent collisions and obstinate, envenomed, 
and bloody contests. The nation, prompted by ill-will 
and resentment, sometimes impels to war the government 
contrary to the best calculations of policy. The govern- 
ment sometimes j^articipates in the national propensity, 
and adopts through passion what reason would reject. 
At other times, it makes the animosity of the nation sub- 
servient to the projects of hostility, instigated by pride, 
ambition, and other sinister and pernicious motives. The 
peace often, sometimes perhaps the liberty, of nations has 
been the victim. 

So, likewise, a passionate attachment of one nation for 
another, produces a variety of evils. Sympath}^ for the 
favorite nation, facilitating the illusion of an imaginary 
common interest in cases where no real common interest 
exists, and infusing into one the enmities of the other, be- 
trays the former into a participation in the quarrels and 
the wars of the latter, without adequate inducements or 
justification. It leads, also, to concessions to the favorite 
nation of privileges denied to others, which are a^^t doubly 
to injure the nation making the concessions, by unneces- 
sarily parting with what ought to have been retained, and 
by exciting jealousy, ill-will, and a disposition to retali- 
ate, in the parties from whom equal privileges are with- 
held ; and it gives to ambitious, corrupt, or deluded citi- 
zens, who devote themselves to the favorite nation, facility 
to betray or sacrifice the interests of their own country 
without odium, sometimes even with popularity, gliding 
with the appearances of a virtuous sense of obligation to a 
commendable deference for public apinion, or a laudable 



Washington's farewell address. 201 

zeal for public good, the base or foolish compliances of 
ambition, corruption, or infatuation. 

As avenu6s to foreign influences in innumerable ways, 
such attachments are particularly alarming to the truly 
enlightened and independent patriot. How many oppor- 
tunities do they afford to tamper with domestic factions, 
to practice the arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, 
to influence or awe the public councils! Such an attach- 
ment of a small or weak nation toward a great and power- 
ful one, dooms the former to be the satellite of the latter. 
Against the insidious wiles of foreign influence, I conjure 
you to believe me, fellow-citizens, the jealousy of a free 
people ought to be constantly awake, since history and ex- 
perience prove that foreign influence is one of the most 
baneful foes of republican government. But that jeal- 
ousy, to be useful, must be impartial, else it becomes the 
instrument of the very influence to be avoided, instead of 
a defense against it. Excessive partiality for one foreign 
nation, and excessive dislike for another, cause those 
whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and 
serve to vail and even second the arts of influence on the 
other. Eeal patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the 
favorite, are liable to become suspected and odious, while 
its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of 
the people to surrender their intez-ests. 

The great rule of conduct for us in regard to foreign 
nations is, in extending our commercial relations, to have 
with them as little political connection as possible. So far 
as we have already formed engagements, let them be ful- 
filled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop. 

Europe has a set of primar}' interests which to us have 
none or a very remote relation. Hence,-^ she must be en- 
gaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are 
essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it 
must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial 
ties in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the or- 



202 APPENDIX. 

dinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or 
enmities. 

Our detached and distant situation invite8»and enables 
us to pursue a different course. If we remain one people, 
under an efficient government, the period is not far off 
when we may defy material injurj" from external annoy- 
ance ; when we may take such an attitude as will cause 
the neutrality .we may at any time resolve upon to be 
scrupulously respected ; when belligerent nations, under 
the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not 
lightly hazard the giving us provocation ; when we may 
choose peace or war, as our interests, guided by justice, 
shall counsel. 

Why forego the advantages of so peculiar a situation? 
Why quit our own to stand on foreign ground ? Why, by 
interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, 
entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European 
ambition, rivalship, interest, humor, or caprice? 

It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances 
with any portion of the foreign world, so far, I mean, as 
we are now at liberty to do it ; for let me not be under- 
stood as capable of patronizing infidelity to existing en- 
gagements. I hold the maxim no less applicable to public 
than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best 
policy. I repeat, therefore, let those engagements be ob- 
served in their genuine sense. But, in my opinion, it is 
unnecessary and would be unwise to extend them. 

Taking care alwaj^s to keep ourselves by suitable estab- 
lishments on a respectable defensive posture, we may 
safely trust to temporary alliances for extraoi'dinary 
emergencies. 

Harmon}'' and liberal intercourse with all nations are 
recommended by policy, humanity, and interest. But 
even our commercial policy should hold an equal and im- 
jDartial hand ; neither seeking nor granting exclusive 
favors or pi'eferences ; consulting the natural course of 
things; diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the 



Washington's farewell address. 203 



stream of commerce, but forcing nothing; establishing 
with powers so disposed (in order to give trade a stable 
course, to define the rights of our merchants, to enable the 
government to suj^port them) conventional rules of inter- 
course, the best that present circumstances and natural 
opinion will permit, but temporary and liable to be from 
time to time abandoned or varied as experience and cir- 
cumstances shall dictate ; constantly keeping in view that 
it is folly in one nation to look for disinterested favors 
from another — that it must pay with a portion of its inde- 
pendence for whatever it may accept under that character 
that by such acceptance it may place itself in the condi- 
tion of having given equivalents for nominal favors, and 
yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not having 
given more. There can be no greater error than to expect 
or calculate upon real favors from nation to nation. It is 
an illusion which experience must cure, which a just pride 
ought to discard. 

In offering to you, my countrymen, these counsels of an 
old affectionate friend, I dare not hoj^e that they will make 
the strong and lasting impression I could wish — that they 
will control the usual current of the passions, or prevent 
our nation from running the course which has hitherto 
marked the destiny of nations. But if I may even flatter 
myself that they may be jDroductive of some partial bene- 
fit, some occasional good — that they may now and then 
recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against 
the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the 
impostures of pretended patriotism — this hope will be a 
full recompense for the solicitude for your welfare by 
which they have been dictated. 

How far in the discharge of my official duties I have 
been guided by the principles which have been delineated, 
the public records and the other evidences of my conduct 
must witness to you and to the world. To myself, the 
assurance of my own conscience is, that I have at least 
believed myself to be guided by them. 



204: APPENDIX. 



In relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, my 
proclamation of the 22d of April, 1793, is the index to my 
plan. Sanctioned by your approving voice, and by that 
of your representatives in both houses of Congress, the 
spirit of that measure has continually governed me, unin- 
fluenced by any attempts to deter or divert me from it. 

After deliberate examination, with the aid of the best 
lights I could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, 
under all the circumstances of the case, had a right to take, 
and was bound in duty and interest to take, a neutral po- 
sition. Having taken it, I determined, as far as should 
depend upon me. to maintain it with moderation, persever- 
ance, and firmness. 

The considerations which respect the right to hold this 
conduct, it is not necessary on this occasion to detail. 1 
will only observe, that according to my understanding of 
the matter, that right, so far from being denied by any of 
the belligerent powers, has been virtually admitted by all. 

The duty of holding a neutral conduct may be inferred, 
without anything more, from the obligation which justice 
and humanity impose on every nation, in cases in which it 
is free to act, to maintain inviolate the relations of peace 
and amity toward other nations. 

The inducements of interest for observing that conduct, 
will best be referred to your own reflections and experience. 
With me, a predominant motive has been, to endeavor to 
gain time to our country to settle and mature its yet recent 
institutions, and to progress without interruption to that 
degree of strength and constancy which is necessary to 
give it, humanly speaking, the command of its own for- 
tunes. 

Though, in reviewing the incidents of my administra- 
tion, I am unconscious of intentional error, I am, never- 
theless, too sensible of my defects, not to think it probable 
that I may have committed many errors. Whatever they 
may be, I fervently beseech the Almighty to avert or miti- 



Washington's farewell address. 205 

gate the evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry 
with me the hope that my countr}^ will never cease to view 
them with indulgence, and that, after forty -five years of 
my life dedicated to its service, with an upright zeal, the 
faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to obliv- 
ion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest. 

Eelying on its kindness in this, as in other things, and 
actuated by that fervent love toward it, which is so natural 
to a man, who views in it the native soil of himself and 
his progenitoi-s for several generations, I anticipate, with 
pleasing expectations, that retreat, in which I promise my- 
self to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of par- 
taking, in the midst of mj^ fellow-citizens, the benign 
influence of good laws under a free government, the ever 
favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I 
trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers. 

GEOEGE WASHINGTON. 

United States, September 17", 1796. 



INDEX. 



Preface 3 

Introduction 5 

Chap. 1. — Anniversaries — Birth, baptism, and ancestry of Wash- 
ington — Birthplace — Westmoreland Co., Va. — A tablet now 
marks the spot — A wise Congress — Prophetic opinion of 
Henry — Rutledge 11 

Chap. 2. — Father and mother of Washington — Father twice 
married — Two sons of the first marriage— Mary Ball, mother 
of George Washington — Instruction of the father, his early 
death — Favorite book of the mother — Property managed by 
the mother — Estate on the Potomac given to the oldest sons 
— College of William and Mary at Williamsburg, Va. — Jeffer- 
son educated there — Washington desires to enter the British 
navy in his fifteenth year 14 

Chap. 3. — At sixteen years a visitor at the house of his brother 
Lawrence — Lawrence Washington had served in the royal 
navy, under Vernon, hence the name of his estate on the Poto- 
mac, Mount Vernon — Lord Fairfax — In 1748, Lord Fairfax in- 
trusted Washington, a boy of sixteen, with the work of sur- 
veying his lands — Belvoir and Greenway Court — Fairfax an 
Oxford scholar— Washington's robustconstitution, invigorated 
by a life in the wilderness, and rigid temperance — Letter to 
Dinwiddie 17 

Chap. 4. — British and French boundaries a subject of dispute^ — 
The powers of Europe claimed all the immense territories of 
the Red men — The Great Spirit — Pocahontas — Heroic conduct 
true. To future generations, the names of our lakes, rivers, and 
mountains will bear the most certain testimony of the exist- 
ence of this people — Their history embalmed in the grand 
features of nature 21 

Chap. 5 — The OhioCompany — Plan of France to connect Canada 
with Louisiana, by a line of forts — Aggressive acts within the 

(2U7) 



208 INDEX. 

province of Virginia — Dinwiddie sends George Washington, 
at twenty-two years of age, to the French commandant on 
the Alleghany river, to protest against the encroachments of 
the French — Washington set out October, 1753, to meet In- 
dians on the Ohio, and French officers near Lake Erie — The 
commandant, St. Pierre, under the French governor Du 
Quesne, refuses to leave — The English prepare for a struggle — 
Washington executes his mission, and delivers St. Pierre's 
letter to the Governor of Virginia in eleven weeks — Encount- 
ers hardships — The founders of a nation, how great their 
glory 24 

Chap. 6. — The Virginia Legislature authorizes their Governor to 
raise a regiinent — ^Washington sets out as lieutenant-colonel, 
April, 1754, in advance, with two companies, to a place on the 
Monongahela called " Great Meadows " — The French had dis- 
possessed the Ohio Company of the fort they were building, 
and themselves completed it, and called it Fort Du Quesne — 
Washington had only four hundred effective men, one com- 
pany from South Carolina, one from New York, one from Vir- 
ginia — They surprised a French encampment a few miles from 
"Great Meadows; " compelled to build "Fort Necessity; " en- 
countered here a numerous foe, and surrender with the honors 
of war, retaining their side-arms — Failed to take, as they de- 
sired. Fort Du Quesne — Washington and his troops were com- 
plimented for their intrepidity in their conflict with De Vil- 
liersat " Fort Necessity" — In the winter following (1754), Wash- 
ington retires from the army — Punctilious feelings wounded 
by orders received from England 28 

Chap. 7. — Death of Lawrence Washington — Washington inherits 
Mount Vernon, and retires thither — Braddock invites him to be 
his aid — Accompanies Braddock — Action on the Monongahela 
— Rejects advice of Washington — Signal defeat — Braddock 
died four days after the battle — All the aids killed or wounded 
but Washington — -French and Indians make extensive depre- 
dations on the settlements in the valley of Virginia — Hercu- 
lean labors imposed on Washington — A frontier of three hun- 
dred and fifty miles in extent to defend — Fort Du Quesne now 
taken without bloodshed— ^Called Fort Pitt, after the Premier 
of Enjiland — Resiixned his commission 31 



INDEX. 209 

Chap. 8. — Marriage of Washington with Mrs. Custis — Domestic 
record unspotted — Interval between the marriage arid his ap- 
pointment as commander-in-chief spent chiefly at Mount Ver- 
non — Winter months in the capital of his native state as legis- 
lator — Opposed taxation — Stamp Act — Repeal the next year — 
Patrick Henrj' — Colonial Congress adopts a Declaration of 
Rights (nine colonies) — Virginia and Massachusetts foremost 
in opposing taxation — Tea desti'oyed — Two regiments of Brit- 
ish soldiers sent to Boston — Boston Port-bill — September, 
1774, First Continental Congress met at Philadelphia — Peyton 
Randolph president — State papers sent to the king and people 
of England^Washin gton member of this Congress — Independ- 
ence not the premeditated design 36 

Chap. 9. — To begin an insurrection a matter of solemn import — 
Lord Chatham's eulogy of the American State Papers — Duke 
of Cumberland, the king's brother, votes with the minority — 
The hearts of the majority, like Pharaoh, are hardened — Dr. 
Franklin in London ; he heard Chatham's speech — -Virginia 
drained of her resources, by a war with the Shavvanese In- 
dians — Situation — Exposed to invasion — York, James, and Po- 
tomac bared it to invasions from the sea — March 20, 1775, 
second convention met at Richmond — Then and there Henry 
made his famous speech — Supported by Richard Henry Lee — 
Resolutions to put the colony in a state of defense — Dunmore 
seized the powder in a magazine at Williamsburg — April 19, 
Gage sends to Concord — Battles of Lexington and Concord 
— Important and sublime consequences 39 

Chap. 10. — Lord North, Premier of England, offers conciliation 
— Ticonderoga and Crown Point surrender to Arnold and 
Allen — On the day of the surrender Second Congress convenes 
at Philadelphia — Washington on all the committees for defense 
— Dunmore, royal governor of Virginia, burns Norfolk to 
ashes — January 1, 1776, Washington made commander-in-chie 
— On June 15, 1775, accepts the momentous responsibilities — 
Receives no pay — Keeps an exact account of expenses — An 
army of 20,L'00 men ordered to be raised — Washington forty- 
three years of age — Description of his person — Religious opin- 
ions, remote from bigotrj' — His religion did not dwell in cold 
abstractions — Obeyed the command of our Lord, " Do this in 



210 INDEX. 

remembrance of me '' — Communicant of the Episcopal 
Cliurch 46 

Chap. 11. — What constitutes a state? — Generals Howe, Bur- 
goyne, Sir Henry Clinton, and Gage issued a proclamation last 
of May, 1775 — Americans in arms, rebels, but offering par- 
don to all (except Samuel Adams and Hancock), if they 
would return to their allegiance — Defense of Dorchester Neck 
— In one night the Americans made a square redoubt forty 
yards on each side on Bunker Hill — Gen. Gates determines 
to drive away thei^rovincials from that eminence — British ad- 
vance three times — Americans retreat for want of ammunition 
— This action is called battle of Bunker Hill — British loss, 
1,000 men — American loss 450 — Armies sent to Canada under 
Arnold and Montgomery — Unsuccessful — Montgomery falls 
before Quebec — An affecting requiem pronounced by English 
statesmen on Montgomery's fate — For Arnold, a traitor s grave is 
reserved 50 

Chap. 12. — July 3, 1775, Washington assumes command of the Con- 
tinental &vmy — Main body of the British under Gen. Howe — 
Boston in possession of the British — 7,000 Americans in Bos- 
ton pining with sorrow — A few royalists among them — Amer- 
ican army in a semicircle from Dorchester to Maiden, about 
nine miles, on both sides Charles river, under the command 
of Maj.-Gens. Ward, Charles Lee, and Washington — The last 
commanded the center — The army presented a motley crew. 
Hearts stout and brave — 14,000 men tit for duty— Want of 
powdei' — Great exertions to obtain a supply 53 

Chap. 13. — Mrs. Washington visits the camp at Cambridge — Her 
equipage — Letters of Mrs. John Adams; she notes with " naiv- 
ete" of the festivities of this time — Interesting letter of Washing- 
ton to his agent at Mount Vernon — A gem of soft but enduring 
lustre — The chain of Dorchester Heights fortified — Howe de- 
termines to evacuate Boston, March 17, 1776 — The people of 
the city joyful — Howe goes to Halifax, then to New York — 
Lord Howe, his brother, joins him at New York — Anxious to 
possess themselves of the Hudson river, to open intercourse 

. with Canada, and separate the Eastern from the Southern 
States — Washington preceded the Howes to New York — 
Georgia has entered the Confederacy — Thirteen colonies — 



INDEX. 211 

Four major-generals appointed, Ward, Lee, Schuyler, Put- 
nam — Gates, adjutant-general 55 

Chap. 14. — Congress appointed, June 21, 1775, eight brigadiers 
— Officers of great merit but inferior rank soon became con- 
spicuous — Foreign officers came also ; the most beloved was 
La Fayette — De Kalb came with La Fayette — ^Kosciusko was 
presented by Dr. Franklin — Conway an Irishman — Pulaski — 
Steuben, who had been an aid of Frederick the Great, was 
sent to Valley Forge, -as inspector-general 60 

Chap. 15. — Washington j)erceives the difficulties of his situation 
at New York — Hulks sunk in the Hudson — Fortifications 
erected on both sides of the river, ineffectual — Dunmore gives 
Virginia trouble — Virginia repulses Dunmore's forces, under 
command of Woodford, assisted by John Marshall as lieutenant, 
afterward chief justice — Victory gained on Sullivan's Island, 
South Carolina, by Moultrie — Sustained by Rutledge and Gads- 
den — Gallant act of Jasper — Fort afterward called Moultrie — A 
few weeks after followed the serious defeat at Long Island, 
New York— General aiid Admiral Howe make a furious attack 
— Army large — Assisted by Hessians — Greene sick — Command 
given to Sullivan — Washington passes over to camp at Brook- 
lyn — The carnAge of his troops — Retreats in safety, favored by 
a fog — Sullivan a prisoner — Defect in the construction of the 
army — N<J cavalry — No videttes — Congress convinced that a 
new plan of operation was necessary — Eighty-eight battalions 
to be raised by levies on the different States 64 

Chap. 16. —Washington retreats to New York Island, then to 
White Plains — A committee meet Lord Howe on Staten Island 
Sept. 11, 1776 — Too late for compromise — Declarafion of Inde- 
pendence sent forth to the world two months previous — Forts 
Washington and Lee, on the Hudson, surrendered — Washing- 
ton invigorates and inspires with confidence his feeble and 
harassed army — His firmness and trust unwavering — A large 
number of Philadelphians form an association for the defense 
c*" their city 69 

Chap 17. — Gen. Charles Lee (the Englishman), through careless- 
ness and self-sufficiency, was taken prisoner in Morris Co., N. 
J., by Col. Harcourt — Regarded by the army as a great mis- 
fortune — Sullivan and Gates rejoin Washington on the same 



212 INDEX. 

day — Cornwallis covered Jersey with troops to impede 
recuiting — Washington crosses the Delaware — His division 
succeeds — Two fail to cross — Battle of Trenton — Rahl, the Hes- 
sian commander, killed — Battle of Princeton — The British 
army astonished — The American army greatly exhilarated by 
the victories of Trenton and Princeton — Philadelphia saved 
for that winter (1777), and New Jersey recovered — Self-sacrifice 
— Franklin, Deane, and Arthur Lee sent to France for aid 
early in 1776 — La Fayette came in Dec, 1776 — Varied destiny 
of this great man — In 1789 he is in a dungeon at Olmutz — 
1824, followed by triumphal processions as a visitor to the 
United States — 1830, solicited by the French people to choose 
for them a ruler 72 

Chap. 18. — At Chadd's Ford, Brandy wine creek, a battle was 
fought — A defeat — 11th Sept., 1777 — Battle of German town — 
Winters of 1777-1778 j^assed by the army at Valley Forge — 
Great suffering — The army would have vanished under their 
terrible trials at this time had it not been for the patriotism 
of the soldiers, and their dovoiion to their leader — Splendid vic- 
tory at Saratoga, 19th Sept., 1787 — Burgoyne the British 
general — Gates the American general — Total loss of the Brit- 
ish nearly 10,000 men — France acknowledges the independ- 
ence of America — Immediate assistance promised — July 11, 
1780, a French fleet is seen between the capes of Virginia and 
the Delaware — Rochambeau, De Ternay, D'Estaing, French 
commanders — Battle of Monmouth — Lee had been released 
and was in this battle — Received a reproof from Washington 
— Obeyed the order and fought well — Wounded by the rebuke 
— Wrote disrespectful letters — Tried by a court-martial — Sus- 
pended — Never returned to the army — Massacre at Wy- 
oming 77 

Chap. 19. — Arnold takes command of Philadelphia, 1778 — He is 
tried for misdemeanors — Reprimanded by Washington — Trial 
lasted from June, 1778, to Jan., 1779 — His unprincipled spirit 
revolts — Solicits and obtains the responsible command of 
West Point — Betrays his trust — Makes his escape — Andre is ex- 
ecuted — Thanks of Congress are rendered to the three militia- 
men who apprehended Andre — Also a medal with an inscrip- 
tion — Poverty of the public resources — $200 to be paid per 
annum to each of them 84 



INDEX. 213 

Chap. 20. — War prosecuted with vigor in the Southern States — 
In the beginning of 1779, few posts remained in the hands of 
the Americans — Col. Pickens' victory at Kettle creek — Major 
Henry Lee — Takes prisoners at Paulus Hook — Paul Jones, in 
1779, took two British frigates — Count D'Estaing fails to re- 
cover Savannah — Sept. 1779 — Pulaski slain — Tarleton's (Brit- 
ish) cruelties — Marion and Sumpter active guerillas — Gates 
made commander in the South after his victory at Saratoga, 
but removed from the Southern department after his defeat 
at Camden — Greene put in his place — Major Hai'ry Lee (Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel) ordered to join the Southern department — 
Alternations of victory and defeat — Victory at the battle of 
the Cowpens — Morgan the victor — Battle of Guilford C. H. — 
Robert Morris at the head of the finances — Enables Congress, 
by his energy and skill, to prosecute the war — Cornwallis goes 
on a long march to North Carolina and to Virginia — Greene 
leaves North Carolina and goes into South Carolina — Successful 
activity of one corps — The legion adapted to the warfare of 
the Southern States — Battle of Eutaw Springs 90 

Chap. 21. — Those who engaged in this fiercely fought battle 
knew not that the end was near — Sept. 1781, Cornwallis, after 
pursuing La Fayette, takes a position on York river — Collects 
his whole force at Yorktown — He hears of a French fleet on 
the coast — De Grasse ai'rives at Cape Henry — I-a Fayetie is 
stationed on the James river to prevent the escape of Corn- 
wallis — Four ships of the line are at the mouth of the York — 
Washington goes to Virginia — Clinton is deceived 97 

Chap. 22. — The siege of Yorktown — De Gl'asse proposes to go 
into the open sea — Not Themistocles of old was more urgent 
than was Washington to insist upon his remaining — 19th of 
Oct., 178], Cornwallis surrendered — Letters between Wash- 
ington and Cornwallis — The whole army deserved much praise 
— Rochambeau — Col. Nelson, when consulted where the siege 
should begin, pointed to his own house — Cornwallis surren- 
dered 7,000 men — Our allied army is estimated at 16,000 
men 103 

Chap. 23. — After the surrender — No more fighting — Parliament's 
decision — Fox, Pitt, and Burke, members of this Parliament — 
Nov., 1782, a preliminary treaty signed at Paris — Commission- 
ers from the United States were Adams, Franklin, Jay, and 



214 INDEX. 

Laurens — Army disbanded, Nov., 1783 — Charleston given up 
Dec, 1782 — Carleton succeeds to Clinton — He is conciliatory — 
Peace declared in 1783 — Dec. 4th, an affecting parting between 
Washington and his officers — Washington goes to Annapolis 
and resigns his power to Congress — Addresses 109 

Chap. 24. — -The day after he leaves Annapolis, he retires to Mount 
Vernon — In 1784, visits his lands on the Ohio and Kanawha 
rivers — He receives a j^resent of shares in the James river and 
Potomac companies — He devotes the money, $40,000, to the 
endowment. of a college in Lexington, Rockbridge county, 
Va 116 

Chap. 25. — Washington's devotion to agriculture — 1784, La 
Fayette visits him at Mount Vernon — From 1778 to 1787, the 
United States existed under " the articles of confederation " 
— A convention at Philadelphia, 25th of May — Sat for four 
months — Washington president of the convention — The re- 
sult of their deliberations was our present Federal Constitu- 
tion — Washington chosen president for four years — Two par- 
ties prominent. Federalists and Republicans — JetFerson, leader 
of the Republican party, secretary of state — Gen. Washington 
a Federalist — Not a strong partisan 120 

Chap. 26. — Journey to New York a triumph — The inaugura- 
tion — Inaugural address — Assemblage attend church — Wise 
counsellors — Madison, Hamilton, and Jay — Knox, secretary 
of war — Hamilton, secretary of the treasury — Jefferson op- 
posed to the re-eligibility of the president — John Adams, 
vice-president — Mrs. Washington has levees on Friday even- 
ings — She regulates form and ceremony — Sanctity of Sunday 
strictly observed by Washington and his household — Death of 
Lord Fairfax — Washington's love of horses 125 

Chap. 27. — The judicial department — Edmund Randolph, at- 
torney-general — John Jay, 'chief justice — Debt, $54.000,000 — 
Genet troublesome — Sent by France — Jefferson and Hamilton 
— War-whoop heard in 1790 in the vicinity of Fort Washington 
(now Cincinnati) — Two vexed questions — Disastrous Indian 
expedition under St. Clair — Washington's letter to Madame 
La Fayette — Offer of pecuniary aid — Her son three years at 
Mount Vernon — Louis Philippe also there 134 

Chap. 28. — Washington re-elected a second time to the presi- 
dency — John Adams — A reign of terror in France — Louis 



INDEX. 215 

XVI. beheaded — Jefferson resigns — Retires to Monticello — 
Mr. JeflFerson head of theFrench party — A special envoy to Eng- 
land — Gouverneur Morris recalled from France — Mr. Monroe 
goes in his place — Insurrection in Pennsylvania — Favorable 
campaign of Wayne — Hamilton retires, 1795 — Wolcott suc- 
ceeds — Randolph succeeded Jefferson 140 

Chap. 29. — Jay's treaty arrives, and produces much excitement — 
Mr. Mason, of Virginia — Sept., 1796, " Washington's Farewell 
Address" — Alison's "Opinion" — Inauguration of Mr. Adams 
— Mrs. Washington, Miss Nellie Cvistis, accompany Washing- 
ton to Mount Vernon — Miss Custis marries Mr. Lewis, the 

nephew of Washington 147 

Chap. 30. — Death of Washington — Grief of the people 157 

Chap. 31. — Marshall announces the death of Washington to 
Congress — Gen. Harry Lee prepared the resolutions that 
Marshall presents to the House — " Letter to his nephew, 

Bushrod Washington" 160 

Chap. 32. — His noble conduct to Payne when young — Opposition 
to duelling and all mce — The will of Washington — Provision 

for his slaves — "Slavery" 166 

Cyi^v. 33. — Pictures and statues 171 

Chap. 34. — Mount Vernon 176 

Appendix. — Note on the introduction, LasCasas — Note on Old and 
New Style — Note on the 32d chapter — Note on the battles of 
the Revolution — Note on the religion of the eighteenth cen- 
tury — Washington's Farewell Address 181 



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